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Technology update
BFGoodrich introduces new materials
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At NPE 2000 in Chicago, IL, BFGoodrich unveiled a broad portfolio of
new technologies in the areas of thermoplastics, polymers, and resins.
The company's Estane thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) molding portfolio,
which ranges from 70 Shore A to 80 Shore D hardness, will deliver faster
cycling with more robust properties over a broader temperature range.
Additionally, this technology can also be used with Estaloc reinforced
engineering thermoplastics (RETP). These materials offer dimensional
stability closer to that of metals and, according to BFGoodrich, superior
to that of any other plastic. Estaloc RETP also achieve Class A molded
surface aesthetics and paintability without the need for primer or adhesion promoter.
BFGoodrich also introduced its soft-touch technology, which offers
products that range in stiffness and hardness from 70A to 70D.
The technology incorporates the use of Estane TPU products and is
compatible with Estaloc RETP substrates as well as several other plastics.
Another addition to the Estane product line is a high-performance ester
TPU that offers good colorability, burst strength, flexibility, and
chemical resistance, melt stability, and enhanced extrusion
processability. These products feature a range of Shore hardness from
85A to 57D, expanding the company's material selections for customers
that extrude profiles, hoses, and tubes.
Also included in the Estane portfolio is a non-halogen, flame-retardant
TPU that provides good flame resistance and low smoke generation in
profiles, tubes, and molded and/or extruded part applications. The
selection further provides good flexibility and resiliency across a range
of temperatures and offers good colorability compared to competitive
materials.
The company has also expanded its portfolio of rubber-like compounds by
adding ester-based high-resilience TPUs and ether-based, high-rebound
TPUs. These materials, which range in Shore hardness from 70A to 55D,
can be processed in a variety of molding or extrusion applications in
which improved tensile strength, melt stability, tear/abrasion resistance,
and low tensile/compression sets are required.
Stat-Rite S-250, a new static dissipative polypropylene using the
company's patented dissipative polymer alloy system, provides clean,
permanent electrostatic discharge protection that is two orders of
magnitude lower in surfaces resistance (108 Ω) than existing polymer
technologies. Designed for sensitive electronics applications and
cleanroom environments, this new generation of polypropylene alloys
exhibits lower ionics, off-gassing, and tribocharging than previous
inherently dissipative polymer alloys. The alloys use no fillers,
eliminating the chance of particulate contamination.
With recent approvals from UL, TempRite EE105 thermoplastics can be
used in new applications that require a combination of thermal
resistance up to 105°C and high impact strength. The recent listing
allows the product to be used in applications such as wire and cable,
lighting, and related areas.
Also at NPE 2000, BFGoodrich announced a new manufacturing facility
and technical center for Stat-Rite static control polymers in Seremban,
Malaysia. The company will offer customers three product lines from
the plant including Stat-Rite polymer alloy sheet and compounds (
S-Series), carbon-fiber-reinforced compounds (F-Series), and
carbon-filled compounds (B-Series).
Frank Bokulich
Aerospace Engineering August 2000
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