Dreyplas
(Source:Dreyplas)
A range of properties close to those of fluoropolymers are offered by Lubmer ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) pellets and spherical powder grades Hi-Zex Million and Mipelon, distributed by Dreyplas on behalf of Mitsui Chemicals Inc., Tokyo/Japan. In specific applications these products can replace polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which is more costly, in short supply and affected by the controversy around perfluorosulfonic acid (PFAS).
Apart from high wear resistance and very good sliding properties, the properties also include good chemical resistance as well as high flexibility and impact strength at low temperatures. Most of these UHMWPE grades meet the food-contact requirements of 1935/2004/EC or 10/2011/EC and the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA). Advantages over many other polyolefins include very high sound damping and good electrical insulation properties.
The Lubmer UHMWPE pellet range comprises the highly abrasion-resistant grades L5000, L4000 and L3000 together with LS4140 as an alloy of polyamide (PA) and UHMWPE. These pellets can be injection molded into industrial parts and extruded into sheets, profiles and hoses using both hot runner systems and conventional tunnel gates. In addition to these base grades, the additives LY1040 and LY4100 can raise the abrasion resistance of many engineering polymers while simultaneously reducing their coefficient of friction. The grades’ opaque light color facilitates the use of color masterbatches.
Used instead of PTFE, the highly dispersible Hi-Zex Million and Mipelon powder grades with particle diameters from 10 μm are suitable for abrasion-resistant, chemically resistant surface coatings or as an additive in compounding.
These polymers are also an attractive alternative from the point of view of sustainability. They can be returned to the PE recycling loop and, being melt-processable and not requiring machining, they generate only small quantities of production waste.
Dreyplas GmbH, Meerbusch/Germany, has also collaborated with a German specialty film manufacturer to develop and bring to market a UHMWPE film that can be extruded with a minimum thickness of 30 µm. It can be used in place of existing film applications affected by the controversy around PFAS. It is also suitable for thermal insulation in automotive batteries and as part of opaque multilayer films in other applications.
Apart from high wear resistance and very good sliding properties, the properties also include good chemical resistance as well as high flexibility and impact strength at low temperatures. Most of these UHMWPE grades meet the food-contact requirements of 1935/2004/EC or 10/2011/EC and the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA). Advantages over many other polyolefins include very high sound damping and good electrical insulation properties.
The Lubmer UHMWPE pellet range comprises the highly abrasion-resistant grades L5000, L4000 and L3000 together with LS4140 as an alloy of polyamide (PA) and UHMWPE. These pellets can be injection molded into industrial parts and extruded into sheets, profiles and hoses using both hot runner systems and conventional tunnel gates. In addition to these base grades, the additives LY1040 and LY4100 can raise the abrasion resistance of many engineering polymers while simultaneously reducing their coefficient of friction. The grades’ opaque light color facilitates the use of color masterbatches.
Used instead of PTFE, the highly dispersible Hi-Zex Million and Mipelon powder grades with particle diameters from 10 μm are suitable for abrasion-resistant, chemically resistant surface coatings or as an additive in compounding.
These polymers are also an attractive alternative from the point of view of sustainability. They can be returned to the PE recycling loop and, being melt-processable and not requiring machining, they generate only small quantities of production waste.
Dreyplas GmbH, Meerbusch/Germany, has also collaborated with a German specialty film manufacturer to develop and bring to market a UHMWPE film that can be extruded with a minimum thickness of 30 µm. It can be used in place of existing film applications affected by the controversy around PFAS. It is also suitable for thermal insulation in automotive batteries and as part of opaque multilayer films in other applications.
Lubmer, Mipelon, Hi-Zex Million = trademarks
