Aptiv(TM) Film Made from Victrex® Peek(TM) Polymer Enhances Design of America's Cup Racing Yacht
United Internet Team Germany Unveils "GER 89" its New State-of-the-Art Yacht
West Conshohocken, PA - (September 12, 2007) - United Internet Team Germany entered this year's challenge for the America's Cup with a newly designed yacht, "GER 89," featuring Victrex APTIV(TM) film to protect intensely stressed parts. APTIV film, made with VICTREX® PEEK(TM) polymer, was selected for its extreme wear-resistance and is applied to the hull and parts under the deck to protect them from friction and pressures arising from high sailing speeds. Temperatures of up to 300°C (572°F) can be created due to the frictional forces encountered.
High performance racing yachts, as those sailed in prestigious races such as the America's Cup, are similar to Formula 1 racing cars. Both are high-tech products that demand the use of state-of-the-art materials offering exceptional performance in the design and construction to achieve the ultimate in form and function.
Victrex APTIV films are made from VICTREX PEEK high performance polymer. This high-tech thermoplastic has a VICTREX PEEK high melting temperature of 343°C (649°F) and exceptionally high abrasion and creep resistance, even at high temperatures. VICTREX PEEK polymer provides excellent hydrolysis and chemical resistance and does not change its properties, even when in constant contact with water. This outstanding range of properties makes APTIV film the ideal material to protect the parts of racing yachts that are exposed to high stresses.
VICTREX PEEK is a semi-crystalline polymer with a glass transition temperature of 143°C (289°F) - APTIV films can be produced with an amorphic-transparent or partially crystalline-opaque structure. APTIV films are also available filled with an inorganic filler to produce film grades with low thermal expansion rates. Due to its thermoplastic nature, APTIV film is very easy to process and can be thermoformed, laminated without the use of adhesives, and heat sealed amongst other processing techniques, and has already found extensive use in applications in the fields of automotive, electronics, acoustics, industrial, and oil and gas extraction and processing. APTIV film is a technology enabler for processors, designers and engineers offering design freedom and versatility for use in their products to achieve higher performance and product differentiation.
For more information about Victrex APTIV films made from VICTREX PEEK polymer, go to www.aptivfilms.com.
