 |
| Main Menu | News By Date | News By Supplier | News By Category | About Us |
|
BAYER MATERIALSCIENCE LLC INTRODUCES A NEW TWIST IN PLASTIC/METAL HYBRID DESIGN: EXTRUSION BLOW MOLDING USING THERMOPLASTIC POLYURETHANE
The patent-pending process - which combines rigid (metals or engineering plastics like nylon) and flexible (TPU) materials inside a mold - can be used to create components such as seat frames with integrated air-bladder cushions. Targeted applications include all-terrain vehicles, automobiles, bicycles, lawn tractors, motorcycles, snowmobiles and watercraft. 'For years, our injection molding plastic/metal hybrid design has had success in automotive front ends where weight reduction and increased strength are important,' said Chris Cooper, senior processing engineer and co-inventor of the patent-pending process at Bayer MaterialScience. 'Now is the right time to expand the concept into new processing areas.' The blow molding process offers customers several important benefits, including part integration, time savings and cost avoidance. For example, traditional seating components require part assembly. The hybrid process, however, produces an integrated seat frame and cushion bladder without foam and a cover - both of which require added assembly. 'This simplifies our customers' manufacturing process, while creating a more durable end product,' added Cooper. Bayer MaterialScience's extrusion blow molding process utilizes TPU as the flexible material of choice. 'Due to its excellent tear, chemical, abrasion and puncture resistance - along with overall toughness and good tactile properties - TPU provides seating and other cushioning components with a combination of durability and design flexibility,' said Gerry DiBattista, TPU market channel manager and co-inventor of the patent-pending process at Bayer MaterialScience. http://www.bayermaterialscience.com
|
| ©2008 New Materials International |