Thermoplastic Compounds use glass bubbles to cut weight
Press Release Summary:
Hollow Scotchlite(TM) glass microspheres are available in most of company's engineering resins. They adapt to processing methods such as injection molding and extrusion. Microspheres reduce part weight and modify polymer characteristics, achieving lower viscosity, improved flow, and reduced shrinkage and warpage. Non-combustible, non-porous glass bubbles produce stable voids, resulting in low thermal conductivity and low dielectric constants.
Original Press Release:
RTP Company Offers Compounds with Glass Bubbles to Reduce Part Weight
WINONA, MINNESOTA, USA - July 8, 2002 - Custom compounder RTP Company, Winona, MN, has announced the availability of specialty compounds containing hollow glass microspheres which reduce part weight, enhance properties and lower part costs in demanding applications.
High loading of these microspheres, called Scotchlite(TM) Glass Bubbles manufactured by 3M(TM), can be added to thermoplastics to reduce overall part weight, and thus per pound material costs. Additionally, they can modify polymer characteristics, achieving: lower viscosity, improved flow, and reduced shrinkage and warpage. For example, polypropylene compounds containing Scotchlite glass bubbles can have their specific gravity reduced by as much as 30 percent. The use of glass bubbles also provides more uniform control and reproducibility than other methods typically used for weight reduction, such as foaming agents.
Non-combustible and non-porous, the glass bubbles do not absorb moisture. They are able to produce stable voids, resulting in low thermal conductivity and low dielectric constants. Compounds containing Scotchlite glass bubbles are available in most engineering resins and easily adapt to common processing methods, including injection molding and extrusion. Applications that utilize this weight saving technology exist in the aerospace, automotive, marine, electronic, and medical industries.
RTP Company, headquartered in Winona, Minnesota, is a global leader in custom compounding. The company has seven manufacturing plants, plus sales representatives throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia/Pacific Rim. RTP Company's engineers develop customized thermoplastic compounds in over 60 different engineering resin systems for applications requiring color, conductive, flame retardant, high temperature, shielding, structural, and wear resistant properties.
For more information call (800) 433-4787 or (507) 454-6900, or visit our website at www.rtpcompany.com.
Corporate Headquarters:
RTP Company
580 East Front Street
PO Box 5439
Winona, MN 55987-0439 USA
Phone: (507) 454-6900
Fax: (507) 454-2041
Internet: www.rtpcompany.com
E-mail: rtp@rtpcompany.com
Sales Offices:
France
Germany
United Kingdom
Denmark
Singapore
Taiwan
Hong Kong/China
Korea
Production Facilities:
Winona, MN
South Boston, VA
Dayton, NV
Fort Worth, TX
Indianapolis, IN
Beaune, France
Singapore
