Conductive Resins are optimized for powder coating.April 10, 2007 -
Able to replace metal substrates in powder coating applications, environmentally responsible Noryl GTX(TM) resins contain conductive fillers that eliminate need to apply electrostatic primer. Grades make it possible to powder-coat metal and plastic on same production line, and can eliminate chemical cleaning and pretreatment of metallic parts when used as substrate. Products consist of polyamide blend with modified polyphenylene ether reinforced with conductive filler packages.
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Original Press release
GE Company GE Plastics
One Plastics Ave.
Pittsfield, MA, 01201
USA
GE Plastics Adds New Conductive Noryl GTX* Resins to the Company's Expanding ecomagination* Product Portfolio
Unique New Materials Eliminate Need for Electrostatic Primer for Powder Coating, Providing Host of Environmental, Design, Performance, and Production Benefits
PITTSFIELD, Mass. - April 5, 2007 - GE Plastics' conductive Noryl GTX* resins have officially joined GE's growing ecomagination* product portfolio. These new, environmentally responsible materials are optimized for powder coating: they contain conductive fillers that eliminate the need to apply an electrostatic primer, which can emit harmful solvents and related compounds into the air. In powder-coating applications, Noryl GTX resins can replace metal substrates, eliminating costly and potentially hazardous chemical pre-treatments and offering increased design freedom. Also, the Noryl resin grades make it possible to powder-coat metal and plastic on the same production line for economies of scale and uniform aesthetics.
Certification of Noryl GTX resins as GE ecomagination products followed a rigorous analysis that quantifies environmental and operating benefits to customers and is audited by an independent third party. GE's ecomagination initiative is a major worldwide effort to increase research and development in environmental technologies; drive new business opportunities by helping customers solve their toughest environmental challenges; reduce the company's greenhouse gas emissions; and increase energy efficiency.
"Powder coating is a fast-growing technology due to its environmental benefits, particularly the elimination of solvents and related compounds that are emitted into the air in conventional liquid paint," said Kristie Dolan, ecomagination leader, GE Plastics. "GE Plastics' conductive Noryl GTX resin grades make powder-coating plastic parts more practical by eliminating the cost, time, and environmental concerns of electrostatic primers. Our unique Noryl GTX resins open new opportunities for design innovation and production efficiencies."
For instance, compared to the typical liquid painting process, conversion to powder-coating can reduce volatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions up to 98 percent and result in an overall coating savings of over 49 percent. Further, they offer OEMs and their supply chain partners the flexibility to replace metal with a lightweight, high-performance plastic, or to run multiple materials on the same coating line. Using conductive Noryl GTX* resin as a substrate can eliminate chemical cleaning and pretreatment of metallic parts; which can result in reduced costs and VOC emissions. For example, a powder coating operation processing 2.5 million square feet per month, switching to conductive Noryl GTX* resin could eliminate $105,000 in pretreatment costs and over three tons of VOCs emitted into the air per year.
Noryl GTX resins provide two critical properties required for successful powder coating: conductivity and high-heat performance. The resins are a blend of polyamide (PA) with modified polyphenylene ether (MPPE) reinforced with conductive filler packages to ensure electrostatic adhesion of the powder coating. In addition, they offer high performance to withstand the curing temperatures of current powder-coating processes. Unlike conventional plastics that must be coated with an electrostatic primer, or metals that must be chemically pre-treated to remove grease, GE's conductive Noryl GTX resins require only a washing step prior to beginning the powder-coating process.
In addition to productivity gains from the elimination of the primer application or chemical pretreatment, conductive Noryl GTX resins can be powder-coated simultaneously with metal parts. Running multiple substrates on the same line enables economies of scale and avoids a color mismatch between powder-coated metal and injection-molded plastic.
The Noryl GTX conductive resin family is an excellent candidate for powder coating applications such as furniture, marine engine components, automotive, and non-auto transportation, as well as electrical and lighting devices. Noryl GTX resins include flame-retardant and non-flame-retardant grades, as well as glass- and mineral-filled materials. They can be processed in injection molding machines, as well as via extrusion.
For more information on GE Plastics' conductive Noryl GTX resins, please visit GE Plastics' website at geplastics.com.
About GE Plastics
GE Plastics (geplastics.com) is a global supplier of plastic resins widely used in automotive, healthcare, consumer electronics, transportation, performance packaging, building & construction, telecommunications, and optical media applications. The company manufactures and compounds polycarbonate, ABS, SAN, ASA, PPE, PC/ABS, PBT and PEI resins, as well as the LNP* line of high-performance specialty compounds. GE Plastics, Specialty Film & Sheet manufactures high-performance Lexan* sheet and film products used in thousands of demanding applications worldwide. In addition, GE Plastics' dedicated Automotive organization is an experienced, world-wide competitor, offering leading plastics solutions for five key automotive segments: body panels and glazing; under the hood applications; component; structures and interiors; and lighting. As a Worldwide Partner of the Olympic Games, GE is the exclusive provider of a wide range of innovative products and services that are integral to a successful Games.
* Noryl GTX, ecomagination, LNP, and Lexan are trademarks of General Electric Company.
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