Polymer supplier PolyOne launched a number of new products for plastics processors at the end of 2003

Polymer supplier PolyOne launched a number of new products for plastics processors at the end of 2003

The company's latest range of thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), branded OnFlex™, includes several vulcanized TPE (TPE-V) products. PolyOne says the new TPE-Vs overcome the limitations of its existing TPE-V products. These conventional products have limited suitability in some applications, particularly in the automotive industry or where colouring with masterbatch or bright colours is required, but PolyOne says this is not the case with its new range. OnFlex-V is said to offer the mechanical and thermal properties typically associated with a TPE-V, including low compression set, high operating temperatures (up to 135°C) and chemical resistance. Added to this are several other improvements, says PolyOne. These include a wide hardness range (Shore 40A to 60A) to allow use in most applications and processing by injection moulding, extrusion or blow moulding; a white colour base enabling pastel or bright colours to be achieved (the product can be supplied pre-coloured or 'natural' for in-process colouring); and very low odour and fogging to meet the needs of automotive interior parts. For plastics processors wanting cost-effective colour concentrates, the company now offers the OnColor™ HL range. The concentrates are highly loaded with pigments and/or additives so that they require a much lower rate of addition, and therefore a lower total cost of colouration. OnColor HL is designed to allow loadings of up to 90% for inorganic pigments and 55% for organic pigments. Loadings of 60% and 40%, respectively, are more usual with traditional technology, says the company. It adds that tests have found that lower than normal addition rates are needed with high density polyethylene (HDPE) film, injection moulded polypropylene and high impact polystyrene (HIPS), extruded rigid polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and conduit rigid PVC. Developed for use with a wide range of thermoplastics, OnColor HL's carrier system can be adapted to suit the needs of individual applications. The company says the resulting colour strength is high and good dispersion is possible even with high pigment loadings. The colour system is also available in masterbatch form under the name SmartBatch™, with colour and additive combinations including anti-static, ultraviolet (UV) barrier, flame retardant, slip and anti-blocking agents. To improve stiffness and flame retardance in a variety of resins, PolyOne has launched Nanoblend™ concentrates based on nanocomposite technology from nanoclay supplier Nanocor Inc. The concentrates can be used in place of traditional mineral or glass reinforcements to increase stiffness, and instead of separate flame retardant additives in polypropylene and polyethylene applications. Typical uses include small appliance and electrical enclosures, internal and external automotive components, films, sheets, wires and cables. Containing around 40% nanoclays, the concentrates are said to be suitable for a number of manufacturing processes and will not affect process parameters. Properties imparted to the polymer include greater heat stability and electrical dissipation, downgauging, non-dripping (char) for flame retardant systems, chemical and thermal resistance, surface quality/gloss improvement, improved barrier properties against gases, chemicals and vapours, and improved colourability compared with talc-filled materials.