Glass-reinforced PBT compounds are alternatives to short-fibre glass-filled PBT, polypropylene (PP) and nylon resins and deliver enhanced toughnessat wide temperature extremes.

GE Advanced Materials, Plastics has introduced two new grades of its glass-reinforced LNP Verton polybutylene-terephthalate (PBT) compound as alternatives to competitive short-fibre glass filled PBT, polypropylene (PP) and nylon resins. LNP Verton WF-7007 compound, with a 35% long glass fibre loading, and LNP VERTON WF-700-10 compound, with a 50% loading, deliver enhanced toughness, strength, and stiffness at wide temperature extremes. These properties, combined with light weight and exceptional UV and corrosion resistance, make the two new compounds excellent candidates for metal replacement in an array of outdoor applications, as well as for a variety of automotive, electrical, and consumer components where exceptional toughness and durability are required.

The use of long glass fibres instead of traditional short fibers enhances the performance and appearance of LNP Verton WF compounds in several important ways.

The low moisture absorption rate of these fibers helps improve the dimensional stability of molded parts, especially in exterior environments.

Long glass fibers further help contribute to excellent impact resistance and flexural modulus and also enhance part appearance by minimizing the migration of fiber ends to the surface of injection-molded parts.

Further, by delivering high performance in demanding applications that exceed the capability of short glass-fiber-reinforced resins, LNP Verton WF compounds can help to reduce costs through part consolidation.

The new LNP Verton WF compounds have been engineered to help meet the growing demand for materials that can replace metal while offering greater design freedom, lower cost, and lighter weight.

Manufacturers looking for new ways to differentiate their products through design or performance, or to reduce costs through part consolidation or simplified assembly and/or finishing, can benefit from the performance characteristics of these new GE products.

LNP Verton WF compounds offer the balance of high-performance properties required for exterior metal-replacement applications such as vehicle windshield wiper arms, side mirror housings, and handles for garage doors.

They are also excellent candidates for a range of other applications including electrical connectors and switches, appliance handles, and electronic motor housings.

According to David Cooper, LNP Verton product manager, GE Advanced Materials, Plastics, 'In today's competitive manufacturing environment, the right materials can provide a crucial strategic advantage in terms of cost reduction, greater design freedom, and shorter time-to-market'.

'GE Advanced Materials' wide array of innovative products, like our new LNP Verton grades, offer manufacturers a fresh approach to traditional compounds and greater process optimization that can help them compete more effectively worldwide.' * About GE Advanced Materials - GE Advanced Materials is a world leader in providing materials solutions through engineering thermoplastics, silicon-based products and technology platforms, and fused quartz and ceramics.

Among its businesses are: Plastics - which is a global plastics materials supplier and distributor, serving customers in a variety of industries including aerospace, appliances, automotive, building and construction, data storage and optical media, medical, electrical and electronics devices, telecommunications, computers and peripheral devices, outdoor vehicles and devices, and packaging.

Silicones - which includes GE Toshiba Silicones in the Pacific region and GE Bayer Silicones in Europe, offering silanes, specialty silicones, urethane additives, adhesives, sealants, resins, and elastomers for a variety of industries such as personal care, automotive, tire and rubber, construction, healthcare, electronics, household and institutional, agriculture, textiles, appliances, bedding and furnishings, foam control, and consumer.

Quartz - which provides high purity quartz and advanced ceramic materials for the semiconductor, telecommunications, lighting, electronics, personal care, water purification, and various other industries.

GE (NYSE:GE) is a diversified technology, media, and financial services company dedicated to creating products that make life better.

From aircraft engines and power generation to financial services, medical imaging, television programming, and plastics, GE operates in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide.