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Articles reporting on plastic products are prepared from information furnished by members of the IAPD and nonmember magazine advertisers. It should not be assumed that
the publisher has reviewed or tested any of
the products. For more information, contact companies by calling their phone numbers
or by visiting their web sites.
Redwood Plastics Corporation, a member of Prisma Plastics International, has purchased the Shark Fin Board Turning System, including trademarks, patents, assets and web sites (www.sharkfinsystems.com and www.boardturner.com) from SGM Holdings Inc. Redwood Plastics has been a long-term licensee of the Shark Fin technology and has over 13 years experience with the system. The Shark Fin System is a patented board turning system for grading tables in saw mills and planer mills. It can protect graders from injuries bringing huge savings in insurance/lost time work costs and even bigger gains in productivity and increased product sales. Canada (800) 667-0999, U.S. (866) 733-2684, www.redwoodplastics.com.
Röchling Engineering Plastics now offers a groundbreaking solution to the ever present risk of contamination of food during its processing and production: Polystone® M MDT. This sophisticated engineering plastic caters to the food processing industry and enables food processors to detect contamination early and therefore avoid significant potential financial losses. The unique additives in this product allow it to be easily traced by standard metal detectors while continuing to provide the outstanding wear-resistance and sliding properties you would expect from Polystone M (UHMW-PE). Designed to replace machined parts made from steel and lower performing plastics, this engineering polymer has high-impact strength, is easily machined and has no moisture absorption. It complies with FDA regulations concerning direct contact with food. Every food processor that utilizes metal detectors in their processing or packaging operations can easily realize the advantages of Polystone M MDT. (704) 922-7814, www.roechling-plastics.us.
Harvel Plastics, Inc. has announced that its American Bureau of Shipbuilding (ABS) Design Assessment Approval for Harvel Corzan® CPVC piping for shipboard use has been expanded to an ABS Type Approval. This approval pertains exclusively to Harvel Corzan CPVC piping in Schedule 40 and Schedule 80 pipe, sizes 1/4'' through 24''. ABS Type Approval certifies that not only has Harvel Corzan CPVC pipe received Product Design Assessment (PDA) approval, it also verifies that Harvel pipe is consistently manufactured and maintained in accordance with ABS rules and standards. Harvel Corzan CPVC piping can be used in non-hazardous areas of ships, MODUs (mobile off-shore drilling units; i.e. drilling rigs), and facilities governed by ABS rules. Uses typically include potable water, fresh water, seawater, drains and vent applications, within tanks and pipe tunnels, and on surface decks. (610) 252-7355, www.harvel.com.
Ticona Engineering Polymers offers new grades of Celstran®+ PP long fiber reinforced thermoplastics (LFRT) designed to outperform SMA resins and PC/ABS blends that are commonly used by North American OEMs to mold automotive instrument panels, air duct panels and reinforcement components. “Celstran+ PP GF20, GF30 and GF40 are customized engineering thermoplastics with long glass fibers chemically coupled to a base polypropylene (PP) resin, offer an exceptionally well balanced property profile, making them superior and ideal alternatives to SMA and PC/ABS blends,” said Hansel Ramathal, product marketing – Celstran LFRT. First developed by Ticona for use by several European OEMs in automotive and truck instrument panels, Celstran+ PP GF20, GF30 and GF40 offer excellent processing properties that ensure uniform glass fiber distribution and a good surface finish. It is designed to compete with styrene maleic anhydride (SMA) resins and polycarbonate (PC)/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) blends. (800) 833-4882, www.ticona.com.
Light-transmitting levels of laminated security glazing products depend directly on the optical properties of the sheet materials used in the laminate. Any desired gain in light transmission typically meant a trade-off in the physical performance of the final glazing product. To improve light transmission quality and efficiency without sacrificing performance of these laminates, Sheffield Plastics has commercialized two new grades of polycarbonate sheet for use in their construction. Both offer a substantial increase in light transmission properties, combined with polycarbonate’s inherent physical properties. MAKROLON® UC, a noncoated product, and MAKROLON AU feature state-of-the-art hard-coat technology. Both polycarbonate sheet products have a minimum of 90 percent of available light in standard gauges up to 12.5 mm. (800) 254-1707, www.sheffieldplastics.com.
Alcan Composites USA offers designers and fabricators an easy, cost-effective solution for attaching 3 mm rigid substrates in dimensional graphic displays and exhibits designed for medium-to-long-term applications. New Profiles™ aluminum extrusions not only can be used to join substrates but to provide a finished edge to display pieces. And, because Profiles feature an anodized finish, they’re perfect for both indoor and outdoor displays and signs. Profiles are available in three shapes. U-shaped Profiles are designed for framing and enclosing an otherwise exposed edge while providing additional rigidity in finished displays. L-shaped Profiles are designed for joining two substrates in a 90-degree corner connection with reduced fabrication costs. H-shaped Profiles (shown above) are designed for joining two substrates in a flat or side-by-side connection, allowing for the creation of longer displays without custom-sized substrates. (800) 626-3365, www.alcancompositesusa.com.
Asahi/America, Inc., a leader in thermoplastic valves, pipes and fittings, has introduced ATEX certified Series 92 electric actuators designed for use in potentially explosive atmospheres, Directive 94/ 9/EC. The Series 92 electric actuator features a die-cast aluminum alloy enclosure bolted together in two sections by eight M8 hex head cap screws and fitted with an O-ring between the two halves for environmental purposes. Access to the enclosure is by two M20 conduit openings in the base. The main shaft, which penetrates through both sides of the enclosure, forms the flameproof enclosure. The shaft top is connected to a visual beacon position indicator and is covered by an upper knob, which is pulled upward to put the actuator into manual override mode. The base of the shaft is a 17 mm female star configuration output which drives a machined coupling to execute actuation of a valve. (877) 24-ASAHI, www.asahi-america.com.
Techno, Inc. CNC Cutting Tools has announced the start of a new Economy Tooling Line of cnc router bits for use by novice cnc router users who want to reduce the cost of replacement tools while they are gaining knowledge on how to cut properly. These hand-picked tools include a variety of flat and ball end mills that are available in both standard and long lengths. The economy tooling line is ideal for any novice CNC router operator who has just begun to cut on a machine. Once they feel comfortable using the economy tools, users can purchase more expensive, higher quality and longer life versions without fear of breaking them midway through a project. (800) 819-3366, www.techno-isel.com/tooling.
Lucite International has announced that its clear Lucite® L cast acrylic sheet is now exclusively available with Microban, a global leader in built-in antimicrobial protection for medical applications such as facial tissue, glove and paper towel dispensers as well as test tube holders, and much more. Lucite L clear cast acrylic sheet offers a myriad of applications across a range of industries including medical and dental tools and equipment, retail displays, building skylights and foodservice sneeze guards. Lucite first introduced Microban in its spa line Celestial Granite™ series of acrylic sheet in 1998. Microban antimicrobial product protection is built-in to Lucite acrylic during the manufacturing process and inhibits the growth of microbes such as bacteria, mold and mildew that can cause stains, odors and deterioration of the product. Particularly for the medical and foodservice industries where bacteria are a serious health concern, the Microban brand brings tremendous added value and confidence. (800) 458-2483, www.lucite.com.
In response to requests from design engineers and OEMs for increased durability to meet the requirements of more demanding applications in the automotive and industrial equipment industries, Victrex Polymer Solutions, a division of Victrex plc, has introduced VICTREX® WG101™ compound. This new tribological compound meets the requirements of mechanical load and tribological performance in challenging thermal and chemical environments combined with the ability to meet the need for economical processing and low density. The VICTREX WG101 compound offers significantly improved wear rates and reduced coefficient of friction when compared to the standard VICTREX PEEK™ 450FC30 product, which is used in the bulk of all VICTREX PEEK polymer applications in friction and wear environments. (800) VICTREX, www.victrex.com.
Spartech Corporation, a leader in the development and design of green packaging materials, has answered the demand for environmentally responsible, sustainable polyvinyl chloride (PVC) replacements with two families of products: EnviroSeal™ and UltrosRenu™. These materials provide unique application solutions for RF tear, bar and heat-seal blister and clamshell packaging for consumer, food and medical products. Both EnviroSeal and UltrosRenu contain comparable physical performance properties to PVC and meet a broad cross-section of PVC-based applications. These products are specifically designed to suit individual manufacturing processes; require no tooling or capital expenditures; and deliver excellent trimming qualities, impact properties and packaging performance. (314) 889-8375, www.spartech.com.
Ensinger, a leading manufacturer of high performance engineering plastics, has expanded its product line to include a variety of high performance thin gauge materials. Manufactured at Ensinger’s Penn Fibre manufacturing facility, the new product offerings include the following: TECASON S Polysulfone (PSU) natural and TECANYL Noryl EN265 (PPO) black are available from .040'' to .125''. Thin gauge materials from .031'' to .25'' can be supplied in TECATRON 30 percent glass filled PPS black and TECAMID 12 percent glass filled nylon black. TECAPET natural is offered in thin gauge from .031'' to .125''. Thin gauge high performance thermoplastics are available in sheets, coils/rolls, strips and punched parts. Ensinger maintains an extensive inventory of thin gauge materials for immediate delivery from stock. (800) 243-3221, www.ensinger-online.com.
Evonik CYRO LLC has developed ACRYLITE® RESIST™ A-99 and ACRYLITE® POP Touch acrylic sheet products to meet the demand for ADA compliant non-glare signage in point-of-purchase merchandising. These continuously manufactured sheet products have textured matte finishes that reduce glare and can be easily laser engraved with Braille. Their frosted surfaces hide fingerprints and scratches for enhanced service life. ACRYLITE POP Touch sheet has a heavier frosted texture than ACRYLITE RESIST A-99 sheet and the impact strength of standard acrylic. It was designed specifically as an economical alternative for P-O-P signage and is available in a 48'' x 96'' sheet size and in six standard thicknesses of .060'', .080'', .098'', .118'', .177'' and .220''. A larger size of 51'' x 100'' can be made to order. ACRYLITE RESIST A-99 sheet is impact-modified to reduce breakage in fabrication, shipping and handling. (800) 631-5384, www.acrylite.net.
GF Piping Systems has announced expansion of its large diameter size range for the Type 567 Butterfly Valve to include sizes 14-16". The new size range features a unique double eccentric off-center design and excellent chemical compatibility. Suitable applications include landfills where large size valves are required for drainage of underground leachate. Other applications include industrial water treatment, potable water treatment, swimming pools, water parks and waste water systems in such industries as chemical, chemical distribution, electroplating and power plants. Advantages of its double eccentric design include easier manual operation and better protection again pressure surges. (800) 854-4090, www.gfpiping.com.
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Polystone® M MDT
Corzan® CPVC piping
New Celstran®+ PP LFRT
PC sheet for security laminates
Profiles™ for joining rigid substrates
eries 92 electric actuators
Economy tooling line
VICTREX® WG101™ compound
High performance thin gauge 
POP Touch acrylic sheet
New butterfly valve sizes