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New Thermal Imaging Camera Designed for Firefighters Uses Solvay Advanced Polymers' RADEL® R Polyphenylsulfone

Polymer withstands repeated exposure to heat without cracking or breaking

Although traditionally known in industry circles for its uncompromising performance in the re-usable medical device arena where it must stand up to repeated high-temperature sterilization, RADEL® R polyphenylsulfone produced by Solvay Advanced Polymers, L.L.C., is now being used to protect and house a new generation of thermal imaging cameras manufactured for the firefighting industry.

The hand-held Argus® 3 thermal imaging camera, built by e2v technologies of Chelmsford, U.K., is designed specifically to help firefighters navigate through smokefilled buildings, pinpoint the source and spread of the flames, and detect fires hidden in cavity walls, floors and ceiling voids.

James H. Lamb, the team director at Alloy Ltd, of Farnham, England, who worked with e2v to design the camera, said the camera's housing needed additional strength to withstand the rough handling it would receive from firefighters during reallife situations as well as the ability to resist damage from heat and water.

"RADEL® R-5100 was the right material for the job," Lamb said. "It balanced the extreme toughness we needed with the ability to withstand high temperature." "Heat is very tough on plastics," Lamb said. "Very few can withstand repeated exposure to high temperature and not be affected. This polymer is unique because it can take the heat time and time again without loosing any of its impact strength or toughness," he added.

In addition to meeting the performance requirements, Lamb said RADEL® R resin also was the product of choice by the tool designer company, Algram, who had prior experience in working with this material to produce medical and safety-related products.

Engineered for use in especially harsh environments, RADEL® R polyphenylsulfone has a high heat deflection temperature of 405 degrees Fahrenheit (207 degrees Celsius). It can withstand continuous exposure to heat and still absorb tremendous impact without cracking or breaking. Plus, its unparalleled chemical resistance among amorphous polymers brings a performance advantage to many applications.

RADEL® R resin can be injection molded, vacuum formed or machined. In addition to its newest thermal image camera housing application, it is used in a wide assortment of medical and dental devices, safety equipment, pipe fittings, aircraft interiors, magnet wire insulation, and fiber optic connectors.

About Solvay Advanced Polymers Solvay Advanced Polymers, L.L.C. is an indirect subsidiary of Solvay America, Inc., the U.S. holding company of Solvay, S.A. The company is a leading producer of high-performance polymers that are used in a wide range of demanding applications in the automotive, aerospace, medical, plumbing, industrial and electronics industries worldwide. For more information about our products and services, please visit our website at www.solvayadvancedpolymers.com.

Solvay S.A. is an international pharmaceuticals and chemicals group with headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, employing about 30,000 people in 50 countries. In 2002, its consolidated sales amounted to EUR 7.9 billion generated by its four activity sectors: Pharmaceuticals, Chemicals, Plastics, and Plastics Processing. Solvay S.A. is listed in the Euronext 100 index of top European companies. Details are available at www.solvay.com.

About e2v technologies Chelmsford-based e2v technologies is a technology innovator and market leader in RF, microwave, imaging components, gas sensors and subsystems for the industrial, defense, automotive, medical, scientific and broadcast communications market sectors. With operations in the UK, USA, Germany and France, e2v technologies has established a network of agents and distributors covering the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Far East and Australia. For more information visit www.e2vtechnologies.com.

About Alloy Ltd Farnham-based Alloy is an independent, employee-owned consultancy providing product innovation and design services to companies worldwide including Hewlett- Packard, Toshiba and BT Plc. Most of the company's projects involve long-distance collaboration between design and engineering. Alloy's multi-disciplinary designers combine human insight, brand awareness, technical knowledge, and advanced 3D techniques in ways that create better products more efficiently. For more information, visit www.thealloy.com or email jamesl@thealloy.com.

About Algram Founded in 1968 and based near Plymouth in South West England, Algram is a leading manufacturer of precision mold tools for the production and assembly of thermoplastic components for companies throughout the world. Since its founding Algram has established both a loyal clientele and an enviable reputation for technological expertise in tool making, injection molding and vacuum forming in every conceivable product category from automotive to electronics, aerospace to medical, and computers to telecommunications. For more information, visit www.algram.com.