With Alextra(TM), Allen Extruders Launches a New Composite Technology to Meet the Demands of Extreme Environments
GE Plastics' Lexan* SLX Resin Provides Stunning Aesthetics and Performance
PITTSFIELD, MASS. - July 20, 2006 - Allen Extruders, one of the largest U.S. producers of custom thermoplastic sheet, today launches Alextra(TM), a revolutionary new line of thermoplastic sheet products that meets the demanding performance requirements of extreme environments. Through close collaboration with GE Plastics, Allen Extruders will combine GE's Lexan* SLX resin with several Lexan-based resins to create a completely new line of differentiated sheet products. These products offer equipment manufacturers in transportation, agriculture, personal recreation, and marine industries an alternate material solution to achieve a Class A surface appearance without compromising long term performance.
"Our customers are always on the lookout for new technology that will help them create products that have a 'wow' factor," says Mike Ringquist, sales manager, Allen Extruders. "The benefits of GE's Lexan SLX resin have allowed us to expand our market presence and compete with thermoset material processes, such as RIM, RTM, and Gelcoat FRP. Alextra sheet products have unrivalled depth of image, robust weathering, high regrind compatibility, excellent toughness, dimensional stability, and are easily thermoformed. These combined characteristics produce a unique balance of aesthetics and performance which can enable our customers to decrease system costs and offer a more environmentally friendly alternative to painted, in-mold coated, or gel-coated material systems."
Alextra is available today in three distinct grades, which have been designed to meet the specific exterior application needs of extreme environments.
Alextra MV is the most versatile of the three products, offering a great balance of properties including:
· High impact, N.I. 8ft-lb/in@-22 F, 38kJ/m2@-30 C
· High heat distortion temperature (HDT), 255F/124 C
· Overall improved performance over acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) resins
Alextra TS has increased stiffness and additional performance characteristics including:
· Dimensionally stable, coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) - near FRP
· High HDT, 280 F/138 C
· High modulus, 430kpsi/2965Mpa
Alextra ET offers the most robust performance under extreme conditions and characteristics that include:
· Low temperature ductility to -60 C
· High HDT, 275 F/135 C
· Great chemical resistance
· Excellent physical property retention
Alextra sheet products represent a significant departure for manufacturers who have experienced the compromises normally associated with working with TPOs, acrylics, and styrene-based sheet materials. While olefins generally offer excellent initial toughness, they are prone to inconsistent weathering, poor dimensional stability, and cold temperature performance, and have limited processing parameters. Alextra's tailored products also offer high stiffness and heat resistance, superior dimensional stability, and cold temperature performance, which are unmatched by traditional thermoformable materials. Alextra's weatherability performance relating to color, gloss, and property retention sets a new standard for thermoplastics, which is unchallenged by traditional extruded sheet products. Alextra is available today in a wide range of high-chroma solid colors and can be matched to painted components.
Alextra is now available directly from Allen Extruders. Additional information about Alextra is available by calling Mike Ringquist at 616-393-9202 or visiting www.allenx.com.
Sheet sizes are available with widths up to 72 inches and any reasonable length, and gauges are available from .060-.500 inches. Lead times for Alextra are as low as 3-4 weeks.
About Allen Extruders Inc.
Founded in 1970, Allen Extruders, Inc. has steadily grown to be the leader of privately-held custom plastic sheet extruders. Allen has accomplished this by separating itself from the trend of consolidation in the industry, which has seen its products and customers become a commodity. The team at Allen has instead chosen to produce products with consistent quality, and backed them with meaningful service that addresses the true needs of our valued customers.
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.
(TM) Alextra is a trademark of Allen Extruders, Inc.
* Lexan and LNP are trademarks of General Electric Company.
Contacts
The Americas
Christopher Tessier
GE Plastics, Pittsfield, Mass.
Tel: +1-413-448-6926
E-Mail: christopher.tessier@ge.com
Mike Ringquist
Allen Extruders, Inc.
Tel: +1-616-393-8202
E-Mail: miker@allenx.com
Agency Contacts
The Americas
Jim Allison
AH&M Marketing Communications,
Pittsfield, Mass.
Tel: +1-413-448-2260, Ext. 25
E-Mail: jallison@ahminc.com
