SABIC Innovative Plastics' website includes newly designed engineering tools that can assist in the design enhancement of applications. Four of these engineering tools can be grouped into a category referred to as Assembly Tools and can be used in reference to Specialty Polymers and Resins. Some of these tools are very simple in their functionality but can serve a very useful purpose when considering a part that needs to be designed for proper assembly features, and minimizing the risk of part failure in the future. Although each of these tools can be used independently, when used together they can enable a more thorough check of the part design to ensure the selected material is capable of performing within the application's specification. Of course, any analysis like this needs to be followed up by end use testing to confirm suitability of the application design and material selected. The four web-based engineering tools are listed below:

• Snap Fit Calculator
• Boss Calculator
• Thread Failure Calculator
• Thermal Stress and Expansion Calculator

The combined effectiveness of these tools in analyzing a part for the proper design is helpful and quick. With the capability to download the results and input variables into an Excel based file, records for various design scenarios can be easily kept on file for future reference. Please note that every application is unique and may not require the use of these Assembly Tools, but other engineering tools are available on www.sabic-ip.com, which may be more applicable for your application needs. For more information regarding these tools and their usage, please feel free to call the technical support at SABIC Innovative Plastics, 1-800-845-0600. Please note that website registration is required to gain immediate access to these tools.

"Fingerprint" the resin properties that will work for your company. APL's unique thermal plastic resin fingerprinting system utilizes a three step process to ensure a positive identification of the new resin system. This can save time, valuable resources and money

Changing the basic resin system is a problem manufacturers have faced at one point or another. For whatever reason, changing resins always meant a lot of unnecessary work because the properties were never the same, equivalent, or even similar to the ones they used before. Variations in the materials due to aging or processing changes can affect the quality of your bottom line product.

A change in the chemical properties of thermal plastic resins can occur just by changing lots from the same vendor and if untested, can prove disastrous to the final product outcome...even to the point of creating serious health and safety risks for the end user. This is especially true in the medical and pharmaceutical field. Specific requirements are mandatory for effectiveness and safety of this particular and specialized use of plastics and related materials.

When a resin system does not work, your company loses money, valuable production time, and must reschedule future time to "re-manufacture" the product.

APL can help prevent this from happening. By measuring the following three properties for all batch samples against the base sample we can guarantee a perfect match every time:

• Chemical
• Thermal
• Rheology

And...by identifying, or "fingerprinting" each new batch of resins you will be certain that they will process according to Standard Operating Procedure and the final product will be within specification.

Let Associated Polymer Labs help you. OUR GOAL IS YOUR SUCCESS!

ADMER® Adhesive Resin is a modified polyolefin with functional groups, designed to bond to a variety of polyolefins, ionomers, polyamides, ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), polyesters (PET), polycarbonates, polystyrenes and metals such as steel and aluminum. The material functions as a tie-layer resin to bond dissimilar resins together in increasingly popular multilayer barrier packaging structures. In unique multi-layer structures it combines properties of different materials, such as gas barrier resins and moisture barrier resins. The use of ADMER in packaging structures restricts the passage of oxygen, flavor and odor permeation.

Available in pellet form, ADMER can be used in a wide variety of coextrusion processes for bottles, tubes, sheets and films. It is currently used in used in automotive applications as well as, chemical/industrial, healthcare and food packaging.

For more information, please visit: http://www.mitsuichemicals.com/adm.htm

MILEX™ Phenolic Resin is a fast curing and flexible, high heat resistance, shock and crack resistance material. The three different formulations of the resin work well under hostile environments and are uniquely suited to the requirements of the automotive and electronics industries.

Series Resin Type

RN Acrylic Rubber Modified Resins

RS Silicone Rubber Modified Resin

XL Phenol Aralkyl Resins

RX Less Silicone Rubber than that of RS

For the automotive industry, this has resulted in the development of a material that provides predictable, stable and durable performance over the lifespan of a brake pad or disc application. The material's characteristics represent benefits for the automotive industry including significant NVH reduction, compatible with all brake pads, especially NAO, faster curing and reduced molding time and costs.

For more information, please visit: http://www.mitsuichemicals.com/mile.htm

TORLON polyamide-imide offers the advantages of a thermoset, in that once cured, it provides unstoppable performance in some of the most severe service environments. But like a thermoplastic, it can be processed by standard methods such as injection molding, extrusion and compression molding. Injection molding of TORLON PAI requires special equipment and knowledge. Contact your Solvay representative to learn more.

TORLON resin earns the mark of an extreme champion by combining exceptional strength at high temperature with excellent resistance to creep, wear and chemicals including organic solvents. Yet parts made from TORLON resin are lightweight – a major advantage over metal parts.

TORLON resin is also a major player in coating applications, due to its outstanding surface adhesion to a multitude of materials including metals and polytetrafluoroethylene (pTFE).

Aim For Exceptional Care of Electronic Components

Precision components made from TORLON polyamide-imide are virtually indestructible, making them a strong performer for demanding electronic handling operations. For example, test sockets molded from TORLON resin are used to protect delicate devices during robotic handling and high-speed, high-force compression into electrical test sockets.

Set Your Sights on Longer Lasting Parts

Parts for military aircraft, automotive transmissions and off-highway equipment – including hydraulic parts, seal rings, washers and bushings – can last longer when made from TORLON or KADEL resins. That's because these resins combine incredible wear resistance with other long-life benefits like toughness, thermal performance and chemical resistance. Plus they're injection moldable, so fabrication can be easier and less costly than machining metal parts.

Handling With Care Calls For Just the Right Resin

Test sockets molded from TORLON polyamide-imide (PAI) are used to protect delicate devices during robotic handling and high-speed, high-force compression into electrical test sockets.

Testing units for printed IC boards must be sealed to maintain test temperatures from -58°F to
302°F (-50°C to 150°C). Seal adapters machined from TORLON resin can provide better dimensional stability for a tighter seal fit and offer longer part life than traditional materials.

Please click on the "See Product Details" link to the right for more information - including data sheets and technical bulletins.

The DuPont range of non-halogenated flame retardant engineering plastics can enable to you to meet high standards for product performance while taking responsible action to protect the environment and comply with emerging government mandates and customer requirements. The resins also contain no elemental phosphorous or heavy metals.

Connectors molded from Zenite® LCP and a non-halogenated Zytel® HTN grade meet demanding requirements for low environmental impact, high-temperature assembly and reliable service. Choose the resin that best fits your electrical/electronic part's particular requirements from the industry's broadest portfolio of non-halogenated flame-retardant engineering polymer grades. Our offering embraces four polymer families: DuPont™ Zenite® LCP liquid crystal polymer; DuPont™ Zytel® HTN PPA; DuPont™ Rynite® PET thermoplastic polyester; and DuPont™ Zytel® PA 66.

Environmental benefits:

• Compatibility with emerging recycling loops for electrical and electronic goods:
• Smaller environmental footprint
• More potential for approval of your customers' products by government agencies, NGOs and their customers.

Please click on the links to the right for more information or request a quote today!