Editorials - Trends & Innovations

May 24, 2010 - Polycarbonate Reduces Mass, Increases Daylight Opening Space & Safety on Microcar Roof by SpecialChem

A striking feature debuting on the Passion coupé model of Daimler AG's 2008MY smart for two® microcar and now also available on the Brabus coupé model is a relatively large (1.2 m²/13 ft (1 Member Reaction)
May 11, 2010 - Global Perspective on the Fate of Automotive Industry in 2010 by SpecialChem

While it has not been a case of "business as usual" in the first quarter of 2010, it was a case of "business as expected". Thus far, none of the major automotive markets have sprung any surprises sufficient to derail...
Apr 06, 2010 - Recent Advances in Nanocomposites by Duane B. Priddy

Nanocomposites have been under extensive research and development for about 20 years. The key research challenges used to include dispersion of the clay in the resin matrix to achieve a good uniform dispersion of nanoparticles and... (1 Member Reaction)
Apr 05, 2010 - The Current State of Biopolymers and Their Potential Future by SpecialChem

Non-biodegradable plastics and polymers have become the material of choice in the modern world, and there is evidence of vigorous R&D activities to discover, develop, and commercially produce degradable biopolymers to replace them. But the... (1 Member Reaction)
Mar 01, 2010 - Advances in Sustainable PVC Technology by Duane B. Priddy

The regulatory pressure on flexible PVC continues. Considerable research activities are underway to address the issue. In general, the research falls into three categories: 1) the development of non-migrating phthalates, 2) the development...
Mar 01, 2010 - New Emerging Rubber Replacement Materials and Technologies by SpecialChem

The previous three articles on rubber replacement covered the historical and current situation. This last part will describe the most important rubber replacement alternatives, which are likely to have an impact on the rubber compounding... (3 Member Reactions)
Feb 15, 2010 - Finding Uses for Recycled Carpet by SpecialChem

Government and industry have taken note of the billions of pounds of carpet being disposed of each year, and efforts are underway to divert this volume from landfills. Carpet is challenging to recycle because its structure (backing and face...
Feb 08, 2010 - TCT Points to the Future of Manufacturing by SpecialChem

At the recent TCT show, held in Coventry in the UK, suppliers of additive manufacturing (AM) techniques showed how their products are moving beyond simple prototype production. According to the latest Wohlers Report, which tracks worldwide...
Feb 01, 2010 - Advances in Packaging Technology by Duane B. Priddy

Packaging continues to be the single largest use of plastics. Recently there have been significant advances in the development of new packaging technology. The advances include...
Feb 01, 2010 - Electroluminescence: Are We There Yet? by SpecialChem

Electroluminescence (EL) is a relatively simple technology that has been in commercial use for around 50 years. It is basically a sandwich of a material which lights up in the field of an alternating current. In this respect it is like... (2 Member Reactions)
Feb 01, 2010 - Global Markets for Rubber Replacement Materials by SpecialChem

In Part 2 of this article on rubber replacement, we explored the current materials available that are being used as a replacement for rubber. In this third part, we will briefly review the various rubber materials and applications, which... (2 Member Reactions)
Jan 18, 2010 - New Films Make Hybrid Car Batteries Safer by SpecialChem

The heart of future hybrid automobiles, which will run on both gasoline and electric power, will be the lithium-ion batteries that store the electricity to power these vehicles. These batteries will have to be efficient, inexpensive and... (1 Member Reaction)
Jan 04, 2010 - Plastics R&D in the New Decade Focuses on Sustainability by Duane B. Priddy

Plastics have impacted our lives in a very positive way. Unfortunately, there are also several negative contributions including consumption of fossil fuel reserves, contribution to the filling of landfills, and increasing amounts of plastic... (2 Member Reactions)
Dec 14, 2009 - Current Rubber Replacement Materials by SpecialChem

In Part 1 of this article on rubber replacement, we explored the history behind the development of synthetic rubbers, which replaced natural rubber. This was because of the unavailability of natural rubber to the Western world, due to the... (1 Member Reaction)
Dec 07, 2009 - Biodegradable Nanocomposites by Duane B. Priddy

Two of the most intensively researched new developments in the past ten years are nanocomposites and biodegradable plastics/plastics from renewable resources. Currently these two technologies are being merged to develop...
Dec 07, 2009 - Photovoltaics Market: Latest Overview by SpecialChem

The solar power market has been growing rapidly in the past decade as a result of widespread awareness about the limited nature of petroleum-based resources, their negative impact on the environment and high volatility of oil prices....
Dec 01, 2009 - Global Electric Vehicle Outlook by SpecialChem

Electric vehicles (EVs) continue to dominate auto headlines with flashy vehicle introductions, government financial support, and strategic partnerships announced between automakers and battery suppliers. Identifying the key drivers behind...
Nov 23, 2009 - Medical Device Conference Wrap-Up: FDA Emphasis on Purchasing Controls by SpecialChem

At a recent MiniTec half-day technical conference on medical devices, medical polymers, and emerging trends (co-sponsored by the Society of Plastics Engineers Philadelphia Section and Medical Plastics Division), a topic that generated many...
Nov 02, 2009 - Advances in Polymer Blend Technology by Duane B. Priddy

Blending existing polymers and taking advantage of synergy to develop new materials has been a goal for decades. Polymer blends continue to provide valuable high performance engineering materials. Recently there has been considerable... (1 Member Reaction)
Nov 02, 2009 - Carbon Nanotubes Help to Fight Fire by SpecialChem

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are often seen as a wonder material of the future, whose main applications will be space elevators, drug delivery systems and nano-electronics. CNTs and other 'nanoparticles' are an order of magnitude smaller than... (2 Member Reactions)
Oct 26, 2009 - Historical Background of Rubber Replacement by SpecialChem

A good deal of interest is being taken in the theme of Rubber Replacement. Before studying this subject in detail, it is necessary to define exactly what is meant by Rubber Replacement. This is not always the replacement of a particular... (1 Member Reaction)
Oct 05, 2009 - Plastics Technology is Critical to Our Future by Duane B. Priddy

Plastics often take a beating when it comes to their contribution to global warming and environmental pollution. However, where would we be if it were not for plastics? Plastics are critical to everything from health care to computers, from...
Sep 28, 2009 - From Bottles to Car Parts: "Up-Cycled" PBT "Greens" Vehicle Interiors by SpecialChem

One of the most interesting nominations for last October's SPE Automotive Innovation Awards competition in the Environmental Category was an application that used "up-cycled" PET resin from bottle scrap, which had been...
Sep 21, 2009 - What’s New in Metal to Plastic Industrial Appliance Trends by SpecialChem

While airlines have been relentlessly removing nonessential aircraft weight to save on fuel or increase passenger payload, the all-aluminum metal appliance catering trolleys used to carry meals, beverages and snacks for in flight passenger...
Sep 14, 2009 - Advances in the Art and Science of Metal to Plastic Replacement by SpecialChem

In the relentless search for cost reduction, plastics continue to advance in replacing metal parts. Beyond lowering cost, metal parts replacement and conversions of metals to plastics can provide many other performance benefits such as...
Sep 01, 2009 - Clever Design helps to Wipe out Hospital Infection by SpecialChem

Hospital-acquired infections are a serious problem - which hospital administrators continue to grapple with. In the UK, a host of factors - from understaffing to poor cleaning regimes - have been blamed for the problem. In an attempt to...
Sep 01, 2009 - High Throughput R&D by Duane B. Priddy

There will always be pressure in the Plastics Industry to improve performance and simultaneously lower cost. Improved performance and lower cost are normally opposing properties. However, recent advances in materials research...
Sep 01, 2009 - Ultra Performance Plastic Applications Heat Up by SpecialChem

The materials of the future, in particular, the ultra high performance plastics, are opening up new technical possibilities for innovative products. High performance plastics materials maintain twenty-five percent or better of their room...
Aug 18, 2009 - Extrusion Cost Management – Materials by SpecialChem

Materials are by far the largest cost of production in most operations, so one must pay close attention to keep costs in line and production profitable. This requires special focus at the design stage. Various steps can be taken to optimize...
Aug 05, 2009 - Hollow Sphere Fillers Offer Enhanced Properties and Cost Reduction by Duane B. Priddy

There will always be pressure in the Plastics Industry to improve performance while also lowering cost. A potential way to achieve this is to reduce material consumption by reducing part density. Part weight can be reduced by the use of... (2 Member Reactions)