INFUSION MOLDING IS RAPIDLY BECOMING A LEADING TECHNOLOGY FOR MANY INDUSTRIES

Main Menu | News By Date | News By Supplier | News By Category | About Us

INFUSION MOLDING IS RAPIDLY BECOMING A LEADING TECHNOLOGY FOR MANY INDUSTRIES
20 September 2005 - Ashland Specialty Chemical Company

Infusion molding is rapidly becoming a leading technology for many industries that use composite materials in their manufacturing process. Ashland Composite Polymers, a business group of Ashland Specialty Chemical, a division of Ashland Inc, recognizes the future importance of infusion molding and has added a dedicated laboratory to its research and development capabilities.

"We can now more readily adjust to and support our customers' needs," said Andy Beer, global marine marketing manager, Ashland Specialty Chemical. "Although boat-building primarily is open contact molding, using either a hand lay-up or spray-up method, many in the boating industry are switching to, or investigating a move to, infusion molding. It is quickly becoming the method of choice for reduced styrene levels during construction. Its advantages also include improved physical properties, consistency and even cost reduction depending on part size."

The new laboratory allows Ashland scientists to better assess changes in resin formulation, gauge flow, compatibility of catalysts, and temperature. The laboratory capabilities also provide better opportunities for product innovation and discovery.

Infusion molding uses an air-tight, sealed sheet that surrounds a mold. It is then subjected to vacuum pressure to draw the composite resin through layers of fiberglass. The fiberglass can be used alone, or it can overlay other materials such as balsa wood or foam core. "This process is being implemented in a number of applications so it is very important that we continue to expand our exploration of this technology," said Beer.

Ashland Composite Polymers, a business group of Ashland Specialty Chemical, is a leader in supplying products, processes and technologies to the global marketplace for composites and gel coats.

Ashland Specialty Chemical, a division of Ashland Inc., is a leading, worldwide supplier of specialty chemicals serving industries including adhesives, automotive, composites, metal casting, merchant marine, paint, paper, plastics, watercraft and water treatment. Visit www.ashspec.com to learn more about these operations.

http://www.ashchem.com/ascc/compoly/

About: Ashland Specialty Chemical Company
Ashland is a transportation construction, chemical, and petroleum company providing innovative products, services and solutions. A Fortune 500 company, we have sales and operations throughout the United States and in more than 120 countries around the world. Our operations include four wholly owned divisions: Ashland Paving And Construction (APAC), Ashland Distribution, Ashland Specialty Chemical and Valvoline. In addition, we own 38 percent of Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC, the nation's fifth largest refiner and marketer of petroleum products.

Ashland Composite Polymers is a leading worldwide resin and gel coat supplier, serving the fiber reinforced plastics and cast polymer industry.

Ashland has invested many years of research into the development of specifically tailored products that together represent the broadest product line in the industry. Primary research and development activities are based at our company headquarters in Dublin, Ohio, USA working closely with our R&D and Product Development teams in Europe and Asia.

The full line of products, services and technology includes: Hetron epoxy vinyl ester, corrosion-resistant and fire retardant resins; Arotran world leading resin technology for the automotive market; award-winning Maxguard gel coats; Aropol polyester resins; AME premium marine resins; Modar modified acrylic resins; and Polaris resins for solid surface and cast marble.

More News:
  • For September 2005
  • From Ashland Specialty Chemical Company
  • For Engineering Plastics