Single-Pellet Compounds deliver enhanced effects.
Press Release Summary:
LNP(TM) Verton(TM) Xtreme compounds - XC (extreme color), XFR (extreme flame retardance), and XW (extreme weatherability) - promote batch-to-batch consistency and help achieve optimal mechanical properties of long-glass-fiber reinforcement. Resistant to impact failure, compounds can be processed using standard and gas-assist injection molding, structural foam molding, and injection-compression molding. They can also be extruded into profiles.
Original Press Release:
New LNP* Verton* Xtreme Compounds from GE Plastics Deliver Unique One-Pellet Solutions for Enhanced Effects
EXTON, Penn. - June 6, 2007 - GE Plastics today introduced a new product platform that helps solve the drawbacks of dry-blending colorants, flame retardants, additives, and other effects in long-glass-fiber compounds. GE's LNP* Verton* Xtreme compound portfolio has broken new ground with one-pellet solutions for enhanced color, flame retardance (FR), and weatherability. This patent-pending technology improves batch-to-batch consistency and within individual parts by eliminating the need to blend two pellet types, which can lead to separation, settling, and other quality issues. LNP Verton Xtreme compound grades - XC for extreme color, XFR for extreme flame retardance, and XW for extreme weatherability - enable customers to achieve the excellent mechanical properties of long-glass-fiber reinforcement while boosting quality and consistency that can reduce overall system costs.
Jamie Tebay, structural product manager for GE Plastics, LNP, said, "GE Plastics has invested millions of dollars - including new extruders, equipment, and specific strand designs - to develop and commercialize the new LNP Verton Xtreme compound platform. This significant commitment demonstrates our dedication to the industry. GE Plastics' value-added services, expertise, and next-generation products, allow us to meet the most stringent customer requirements for improved quality and consistency, exceptional performance, and system efficiencies."
To help customers develop applications using LNP Verton Xtreme compounds, GE Plastics' Center of Excellence for Verton Compound Technology in Columbus, Ind. provides a staff of product technologists, engineers, and other experts, as well as a wide array of processing equipment. The 7,000-sq.-ft. center features two development lines and a 170-ton injection molding machine. GE Plastics plans to manufacture the new materials in the Pacific and Latin America, as well as in Columbus where they are currently produced.
GE Plastics' customers are already achieving the benefits of enhanced effects and consistency with the new product line. For example, Steelcase Inc. is evaluating injection-molded LNP Verton XC compound to produce the seat back frame of its award-winning Leap® office chair. By replacing a two-pellet solution with LNP Verton Xtreme compound, Steelcase has seen an improvement in surface finish and color consistency. With the rich and consistent color of GE's LNP Verton XC compound, Steelcase expects to improve overall aesthetics while reducing system costs.
GE's LNP Verton XC compound is currently available in nylon base resins, while LNP Verton XFR compound is available in polycarbonate/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (PC/ABS) resins. The third grade, LNP Verton XW compound, is based on GE's Geloy* resin, an advanced amorphous terpolymer of acrylic-styrene-acrylonitrile (ASA) resin. It will be available in Q3 2007. This product delivers exceptional resistance to UV light and weathering, and is an excellent candidate material for truck and agricultural equipment components.
All three new LNP Verton Xtreme compounds combine rigidity with outstanding strength and resistance to impact failure in a wide array of applications. The new products also deliver an excellent balance between cost and performance in structural applications. These compounds can be processed using standard and gas-assist injection molding, structural foam molding, and injection-compression molding, and can be extruded into profiles.
Future plans for the platform include one-pellet solutions that offer enhanced lubrication for parts such as gears and washers, and enhanced conductivity for powder-coated parts.
For more information on GE's LNP Verton compound portfolio, please visit the 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.
* LNP, Verton, Geloy, and Lexan are trademarks of General Electric Company.
® Leap is a registered trademark of Steelcase Inc.
