LFT Material suits automotive applications.
Press Release Summary:
Direct roving StarRov(TM) LFTplus exhibits impact resistance, chemical stability, and is recyclable. Utilizing long fiber thermoplastics (LFT) technology, rovings' chemical sizings are compatible with PP, PA, PBT, and other thermoplastic polymers. Demonstrating dimensional stability and coefficient of linear thermal expansion almost equal to steel, product is suited for front-ends, bumper beams, instrument panels, or spare wheel pans.
Original Press Release:
Direct Roving StarRov(TM) LFTplus for Thermoplastic Composite Applications
Denver/Bad Homburg (September 14, 2004) ---- Johns Manville recently launched the premium direct roving StarRov(TM) LFTplus for Long Fiber Thermoplastics (LFT) technology. LFT is a fast-growing application based on cost-efficient technology primarily focused on structural and semi-structural automotive parts. LFT utilizes longer fibers than the conventional chopped strands commonly used in injection molding compounds. Longer fibers translate to better mechanical performance in structural components such as front-ends, bumper beams, instrument panels or spare wheel pans.
StarRov(TM) LFTplus rovings feature very good impregnation characteristics and excellent processability. LFT parts have good dimensional stability and a coefficient of linear thermal expansion almost equal to steel. This, combined with excellent impact resistance, chemical stability (salt, oil, fuel), and the ability to recycle, make it the ideal material for new cost effective applications in the global automotive markets. The chemical sizings of StarRov(TM) LFTplus products have been developed to be compatible with PP, PA, PBT and other thermoplastics polymers.
StarRov(TM) LFTplus has two key manufacturing concepts: Direct-LFT and the offline molding process using LFT pellets.
Johns Manville, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is a leading manufacturer and marketer of premium-quality building and specialty products. In business since 1858, the Denver, USA-based company has sales in excess of $2 billion and holds leadership positions in all of the key markets that it serves. Johns Manville employs approximately 8,500 people and operates 43 manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe and Asia. The Engineered Products Group (EPG), one of Johns Manville's four strategic business units, produces glass fibers, glass fiber nonwoven, polyester spunbond, meltblown and glass fiber wall coverings at 14 manufacturing locations worldwide: Spartanburg, SC, Waterville, OH, Richland, MS and Etowah,TN, USA; Berlin, Bobingen, Karlstein, Steinach and Wertheim, Germany; St. Helens, UK, Oskarstrom and Helsingborg, Sweden; Trnava, Slovakia and Shanghai, China. Additional information can be found at www.jm.com.
