By participating in the new KTN network, companies will be able to learn about, and make use of, the very latest global developments in materials technology.

Science and Innovation Minister Lord Sainsbury launched the Materials Knowledge Transfer Network, at the Science Museum last Thursday Jan 19, describing it as a new partnership between businesses, research and technology organisations and universities that would help give UK manufacturing an edge as global markets become ever more competitive. Lord Sainsbury said: 'The Materials Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN) will bring together industry and research expertise, and as a result make the best use of resources and spread best practice'. 'It will provide a one stop shop for unsurpassed materials advice to UK manufacturing and service providers.' The new KTN, said Sainsbury was an organisation aimed at making cutting-edge science available on the factory floor.

The new KTN includes the successful Faraday Plastics partnership - the UK's leading resource and coordinator for polymer-based research.

Richard Simpson, Faraday Plastics director said that: 'We feel energised and motivated by the Government's new initiative in materials.

At our Board Meeting on the eve of the launch we resolved a full commitment to our new materials partners in the network.

It is in fact vital that all of us - in plastics, textiles, ceramics and metals - work creatively and industriously with each other in order to grow the materials sector and the many opportunities in it.' Simpson adds that: 'This renewal of our remit within the new KTN structure is also very exciting news for UK plastics.

We intend to use our increased funding and new network resources to push innovations ever forward into the plastics manufacturing community.' By participating in the new KTN network, companies will be able to learn about, and make use of, the very latest developments in materials technology from around the world.

Businesses will have access to the very best of our scientific and manufacturing facilities to research and apply innovations in the use of materials.

The Department of Trade and Industry will provide more than GBP 11 million for the Materials Knowledge Transfer Network over the next three years.Under the chairmanship of Robert Quarshie of the DTI, the new materials grouping is an important element in the UK Government's aim to consolidate the sector as one of today's key drivers for a successful manufacturing sector.

The GBP 200 billion materials sector is estimated to contribute 15% to the nation's GDP, directly employs 1.5 million people and supports another 4 million jobs.

The Materials Knowledge Transfer Network will also give users access to up-to-date information on materials properties, where to get advice, research and development and other services and provide a forum for sharing information.

The network will have sections dedicated to each class of material, for example, metals, composites, plastics, ceramics, minerals and smart materials.

Simpson points out, however, 'That the KTN is far from an abstract tool.

At Faraday Plastics demand is high for our technology translators and we continue to deploy them throughout the industry to good effect - in matching their ideas to solution suppliers and in helping them Technology Road Map their future; gain access to grants and funds and also recoup tax breaks for company research and development spend.'

Offering an operational temperature limit of 160 deg C, fluoropolymer foams have exceptional smoke, flame and toxicity properties and chemical and UV resistance.

Zotefoams, the foam technologists, have launched a new range of high temperature closed cell foams; an extension to the successful ZOTEK F family of foams, based on the fluoropolymer Kynar from Arkema. Offering an operational temperature limit of 160 deg C, fluoropolymer foams are have exceptional smoke, flame and toxicity properties and chemical and UV resistance. Designated Zotek F HT, the new foams offer an operational temperature limit of 160 deg C, an improvement of +50 deg C over the current ZOTEK F range.

Four grades are currently available: Zotek F40 HT and Zotek F75 HT both recommended for general use in industrial applications such as chemical engineering, pharmaceutical and medical.

Zotek F38 HT and Zotek F74 HT complete the range and are intended for use in the commercial and military aircraft and aerospace industries.

All Zotek F fluoropolymer foams are characterised by their exceptional smoke, flame and toxicity properties, outstanding chemical and UV resistance and excellent insulation and moisture resistance properties.

The new Zotek F HT grades also offer enhanced chemical and solvent resistance, combined with higher levels of structural rigidity.

Preliminary testing indicates noticeable improvements in terms of tensile strength, elongation, tear strength and compression set.

Zotek F HT foams can be easily converted by using traditional foam fabrication techniques such as sawing, routing, gluing, laminating, welding and die-cutting.

They can also be thermoformed into complex single component structures providing many benefits over multi-layer foam systems, such as weight and cost reduction.

Adding solid glass spheres to resin formulations as resin extenders reduces shrinkage and improves part flatness as well as lowering moulding and extrusion costs.

Potters Industries has just completed a study of the benefits of using engineered glass microsphere particles. According to William Shaker, Market Development manager of Polymer Additives at Potters Industries, 'One of the major benefits of adding solid glass spheres to resin formulations is reduced manufacturing costs'. ' With resin prices soaring, processors are looking to additives as a way to contain rising costs'.

'By using Spheriglass solid glass microspheres as resin extenders, they can realise substantial cost savings while gaining enhanced physical properties.' Spheriglass glass spheres are performance modifiers engineered to increase the strength of plastics.

High loadings of glass spheres add significantly to the dimensional stability of the finished product by reducing shrinkage and improving part flatness.

For example,' says Shaker, 'Data show that shrinkage of unfilled or glass fiber filled nylon 66 can be cut by 70-80% when 30% glass spheres are used.

And warpage is reduced 95-97% in the same tests.' High loadings can also increase flexural modulus, abrasion resistance, and surface hardness.

Additional benefits include excellent chemical resistance, increased compound flow, and improved compressive strength.

Used in thermoplastics and thermosetting resin systems, Spheriglass glass microspheres offer processing benefits by increasing the flow during extrusion and injection molding.

Microspheres lower the viscosity of most compounded resin systems, acting as miniature ball bearings to improve flow.

'Because flow is improved, very large and thin walled parts can be molded to dimensions,' explains Shaker.

'The spherical shape also yields better stress distribution.

This is important since localised stress within a molded part often leads to premature failure as well as warpage in the finished part.' In contrast to other additives such as fiber glass which have inherent properties that limit their use in certain applications, Spheriglass non-fibrous glass spheres help engineers confront the problems of maintaining dimensional stability, easing plastic flow and lowering molding pressures.

'The cost of glass spheres is less than half that of glass fibers, making them one of the most economical glass products available,' adds Shaker.

Spheriglass solid glass spheres have a density of 2.5g/cc.

They are very strong, with a crush strength of 30,000 lb/in2.

Moh's hardness is 6.0-6.5.

Glass spheres have very low oil absorption, about 18g oil/100g spheres.

And, because the spheres are nonporous, they do not absorb resin in a polymer system.

They are available in two glass compositions: A-glass (soda-lime glass) and E-glass (borosilicate glass).

Potters Industries, a wholly owned subsidiary of PQ Corporation is the world's leading manufacturer of engineered glass materials serving the highway safety, polymer additive, metal finishing, and conductive particle markets.

PQ Corporation recently acquired by JPMorgan Partners, is a leading producer of silicate, zeolite, and other performance materials serving the detergent, pulp and paper, chemical, petroleum, catalyst, water treatment, construction, and beverage markets.

GE - Plastics announced a new collaboration with specialty-vehicle company ASC, - to give car buyers unique and exciting factory-installed options to suit their 'lifestyles'.

At the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), GE - Plastics announced a new collaboration with specialty-vehicle company ASC Incorporated, showcasing the first results of a joint effort to give car buyers unique and exciting factory-installed options to suit their lifestyles. ASC's patent-pending, bi-directional InfiniVu 'open-air' sliding-roof system, which is incorporated into a prototype minivan dubbed the ASC TriLite, features GE's Lexan* GLX polycarbonate (PC) resin for style, safety, and weight savings. This application marks the first time, worldwide, this GE technology has been showcased in a panoramic automotive roof system - a technology whose advantages include design flexibility to promote creativity and part consolidation; light weight to boost fuel economy; and impact resistance for occupant safety.

The new collaboration between GE and ASC offers ASC additional 'cutting-edge' innovations for its high-image specialty vehicles as well as its more mainstream vehicle systems, such as open-air roof systems.

'As an auto industry first, our InfiniVu bi-directional sliding-roof system called for an exceptional plastics that could meet tough requirements for high performance and design freedom,' said Paul Wilbur, ASC's president and chief executive officer.

'The materials and support from GE are critical factors in the success of this design and others to come, which will give OEMs a new way to differentiate their vehicles and offer consumers new feature choices.' The roof panels, manufactured and coated with Exatec 900vt is made by Exatec, LLC, a GE joint venture company, that gives all occupants of a minivan, SUV, or crossover vehicle the fresh-air enjoyment of a convertible combined with the safety and protection of a hard-panel roof.

For the prototype vehicle, GE's versatile Lexan GLX resin was vacuum-formed; however, in production, the resin would be injection-molded.

The Exatec 900vt coating provides protection against abrasion and scratches, as well as weatherability.

Ideal for large, complex automotive glazing applications such as the ASC panoramic roof system, GE's Lexan GLX resin can provide a number of important advantages to consumers and vehicle engineers and designers: * Lighter weight than glass for improved fuel economy - addressing environmental concerns about fuel consumption, Lexan GLX resin can reduce part weight by about 50% for better fuel economy.

The American Plastics Council reports that for each 10% reduction in the weight of a car or truck, gas mileage increases by 7%.

* Less roof weight to avoid top-heaviness - reducing weight in a typical roof system can help lower the center of gravity.

* Shatter resistance for safety - GE's Lexan resin can offer improved shatter resistance, which may potentially help reduce risk of injury.

* Toughness for intrusion resistance - an exceptionally tough material, Lexan GLX resin helps protect against break-ins.

* Design flexibility - compared with glass and other materials, GE's Lexan GLX resin offers greater freedom to create innovative designs.

Further, the GE material lends itself to part consolidation for cost savings.

* Clarity - the GE material is clear, giving vehicle occupants an unimpeded view of the sky or landscape even when the roof system is closed.

According to Derek Buckmaster, global market director, Body Panels and Glazing, GE - Plastics, Automotive, 'An important focus for GE is helping our customers offer unique designs that broaden the array of choices for consumers.

Collaborating with ASC on this first project and jointly exhibiting our technologies demonstrates the tremendous progress we are making in leveraging plastics to meet consumers' changing lifestyles.

The styling of the panoramic roof system - which is made possible with Lexan GLX glazing - offers consumers a multi dimensional view of the world with no restrictions on enjoyment.

Lightweight components like these roof systems support GE's ecomagination initiative by helping automakers reduce the amount of fuel used - and emissions given off - by cars and trucks.' GE - Plastics is developing a number of next-generation materials that will enhance the style, safety, and weight savings of other automotive components.

* About GE - Plastics -GE - Plastics is a global supplier of plastic resins widely used in automotive, healthcare, consumer electronics, transportation, performance packaging, building and 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 and 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.

* About ASC Incorporated - ASC Incorporated is a full-service specialty-vehicle partner for automotive manufacturers, specializing in vehicle design, body engineering, composite body packages and open-air roof systems.

A custom compounder of specialty electrically conductive thermoplastics compounds, has introduced a full line of conductive and static dissipative compounds based on copolymer polyacetal.

Premix Thermoplastics, a custom compounder of specialty electrically conductive thermoplastic compounds, has introduced a full line of conductive and static dissipative compounds based on copolymer polyacetal (POM). These compounds offer the excellent chemical resistance, toughness and low coefficient of friction of polyacetal while providing ESD protection. The new compounds are colorable and available with or without fiberglass reinforcement.

* PRE-ELEC 12-000 conductive (<1x10e5 ohm) compounds are based on copolymer polyacetal with carbon black or carbon fiber additives.

They are ideal for applications such as automotive fuel systems, gears and similar components where good toughness, wear and chemical resistance are important.

* PRE-ELEC 12-031 conductive compounds can be colored for color coding if desired without affecting the electrical properties of the compound.

These compounds are useful where the added stiffness of carbon fibers is desirable.

* PRE-ELEC ESD 12-000 static dissipative (1x10e9 to 1x10e11 ohm) compounds are colorable alloys of copolymer polyacetal and inherently dissipative polymers.

They are ideal for applications that require truly static dissipative properties with lower surface resistivity than PRE-ELEC 12-000 conductive products.

They dissipate electrostatic charge at a slower rate than the truly conductive compounds PRE-ELEC 12-000 and PRE-ELEC 12-031.

Using many of the commercially available thermoplastics and virtually all of the electrically conductive additives, inherently dissipative polymers (IDPs), and inherently conductive polymers (ICPs), Premix creates customized solutions to meet customer needs.

Victrex has introduced Victrex Peek adhesive tape, a super-tough material providing the best combination of friction and wear properties combined with high temperature resistance.

Victrex has introduced Victrex Peek adhesive tape, a super-tough material providing the best combination of friction and wear properties combined with high temperature resistance, chemical resistance and excellent electrical insulation. It is ideal for use in a broad range of applications including gaskets, aerospace components, high performance labels, solder masking, oil field equipment, semiconductor processing equipment and more. According to John Getz, Victrex Global Commercial Leader Film, 'Victrex Peek tape provides engineers and designers with an excellent alternative to both PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) and PI (polyimide) tape.

When compared to PTFE tape, Victrex Peek tape exhibits much higher tensile strength, is a tougher, stronger material with better wear performance in aggressive conditions, and has a lower density.

When compared to PI tape, Victrex Peek tape has lower moisture absorption, better performance in strong alkaline environments, and higher tear strength.' Victrex Peek tape can withstand continuous operating temperatures of up to 220C (428F) and even higher temperatures for short durations.

It resists wear over a wide range of pressure, velocity, temperature and counterfacial roughness.

Hydrolytically stable, Victrex Peek tape maintains its electrical properties over a wide frequency and temperature range, and can withstand over 109 rads of radiation exposure without embrittlement.

In addition, it has excellent chemical resistance to solvents, acids, bases, fuels, and hydrocarbons even at elevated temperatures.

Available in slit rolls, sheets and die-cut pieces in thicknesses of.002' and above, Victrex Peek tape is coated on one or both sides with a variety of adhesive systems including silicone or acrylic.

Adds Getz, 'Victrex Peek tape is able to meet a variety of aerospace, automotive, food/water, medical/pharmaceutical, and military/nuclear approvals and standards.

Italy's Ranger Group has announced that it has chosen GE's Lexan, GLX resin to launch its new premium automotive glazing line with the tradename Organikglass.

Italy's Ranger Group has announced that it has chosen GE's Lexan, GLX resin to launch its new premium automotive glazing line with the tradename Organikglass. GE's Lexan GLX polycarbonate (PC) resin, which provides high impact strength, UV protection, and light weight that are especially valuable in large panoramic roofs, sunroofs, and backlights, will be injection-molded at Ranger's state-of-the-art production facility in Carate Brianza, Italy. Ranger expects to develop new automotive glazing applications that will take advantage of the unique properties of GE's thermoplastic materials vs.

conventional materials.

'Ranger is very excited about developing our new glazing line Organikglass using GE supplied materials.

This will make Ranger the first company to manufacture world-class, light-weight, and impact-resistant PC side and rear car windows and especially panoramic roofs for automotive manufacturers.

Our focus is on growth and innovation,' said Ranger CEO, Matteo Rossini.

'Lexan GLX polycarbonate resin will help us meet changing customer requirements for the latest glazing designs, colors, and shapes, while helping to reduce overall vehicle weight as a glass replacement.' Headquartered in Carate Brianza with several production sites across Europe, Ranger is devoting this new facility to injection mold components such as roof glazing, side and rear windows, and backlights.

With a proven thirty-year experience in the production of molds and complex equipment, its metallurgy and plastic materials know-how is the starting point for each project including this new glazing line.

Ranger Group has doubled its sales, production sites, and staff in three years as a result of this dedication to advanced material technology solutions.

Correspondingly, GE will provide technical guidance to Ranger regarding best practices for the use of its Lexan GLX PC resin in automotive glazing.

A specialised independent website for Film Insert Moulding (FIM) professionals and end users, now comprises the most recent information for the FIM process including all the latest news.

A specialised independent website for Film insert moulding (FIM) professionals and end users, now comprises the most recent information for the FIM process including all the latest news, product innovations, technological developments and much more. FIM, a type of In Mould Decoration (IMD), provides a means of decorating and manufacturing a wide range of profiled or three dimensional plastics components for use throughout industry. Typically applications include telecommunications and electronics, such as mobile phone fascias or touch sensitive keyboard pads; industrial moulded display panels; interior and exterior automotive parts and trims; and general consumer appliances.

The FIM portal was created to educate end users on the benefits of the process.

With contributions from many of the leading companies in FIM, including MacDermid Autotype, Formech, Proell and Battenfield, the website features knowledge and advice for those who wish to find out more about this versatile and cost effective process.

The site is constantly being updated to keep visitors informed of the most recent developments in the fast developing FIM industry.

All the latest news appears on the site as well as new product information and case studies.

The website comprises all the information needed for understanding, researching and purchasing FIM, at the click of a mouse; including a directory of suppliers of FIM products and services.

Now manufacturers can research the FIM process and equipment, and even select a supplier whenever they need to do so.

GE Bayer Silicones plans to invest in additional production capacity for liquid silicone rubber (LSR) at its facility in Leverkusen, Germany to help meet expanding European and global demand.

GE Bayer Silicones plans to invest in additional production capacity for liquid silicone rubber (LSR) at its facility in Leverkusen, Germany to help meet expanding European and global demand. Darrell Hughes, GE's global business manager for Elastomers, said: 'GE's technology for liquid injection moulding of silicone elastomers offers customers significant productivity advantages and new design opportunities. With our innovative LSR technology, we are a global leader in this growing product segment.

Last year we brought our LSR production facility in Thailand on line to support growth in Asia.

With Thailand, we now have the capability to supply locally from the Americas, Europe, and Asia.

In Europe, our teams increased GE's LSR capacity by more than 10 per cent during the last year by applying LEAN and six sigma methodologies.

However, more capacity is needed, so we are expanding the Leverkusen plant to help meet customer demand.

The new equipment will produce standard grades as well as customer-specific LSR materials.

The new investment will support our continuous growth and confirms our long-term commitment to this product line.' Liquid silicone rubber is used to produce high-performance moulded articles for various industries and applications.

Examples are seals and connectors for the automotive industry, baby nipples and pacifiers for the infant care industry, components and seals for the healthcare industry, or insulators and cable accessories for the high voltage industry.

A practical guide to polyvinyl chloride has information for working with PVC and provides background on the resins and additives, their properties and processing characteristics.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) has been around since the late part of the 19th century, although it was not produced commercially until the 1920s; it is the second largest consumed plastic material after polyethylene. PVC products can be rigid or flexible, opaque or transparent, coloured, and insulating or conducting. There is not just one PVC but a whole family of products tailor-made to suit the needs of each application.

Rapra's Practical Guide to Polyvinyl Chloride is packed with information for everyone working with PVC.

It provides comprehensive background on the resins and additives, their properties and processing characteristics, as well as discussion of product design and development issues.

PVC is extremely cost effective in comparison to other plastics with a high degree of versatility in end-use and processing possibilities, as the reader will note from this book.

It is durable, easily maintained, and can be produced in a large range of colours.

As a result PVC finds use in an extensive range of applications in virtually all areas of human activity, including medical equipment, construction applications such as flexible roof membranes, pipes and window profiles, toys, automotive parts and electrical cabling.

The PVC industry has also started to tackle some of its end-of-life issues.

There have been, and still are, issues and perceptions over environmental and health acceptance covering vinyl chloride monomer, dioxins, phthalate plasticisers, and lead (and cadmium) based heat stabilisers and these are discussed in depth in this book.

Practical Guide to Polyvinyl Chloride will be of interest to raw materials suppliers and processors or end-users of PVC, as well as anyone with a general interest in this versatile material.

Written by Stuart Patrick who has worked extensively in the PVC and additives business and been involved in both market and technical developments in this competitive field.

Before retirement he was Global R and D Manager with Akzo Nobel/Akcros Chemicals.

He is now utilising his experience as a part-time lecturer at IPTME, Loughborough University and as a co-ordinator for a Research Network established to improve the sustainable use of PVC.

The mobile shredder provides a cost-effective solution for the recycling of bulky plastics items in seconds that are difficult and uneconomical to recycle due to high transportation costs.

A novel solution from Axion Recycling for recycling bulky plastics on-site - an innovative mobile shredding unit - achieved recognition in the recent Recycling and waste management Awards. A Finalist in the 'Developments in New Technology - Vehicles category', Axion developed the mobile shredding unit with funding by WRAP, the Waste and Resources Action Programme. On-going trials in various industrial and commercial sectors include notable success in recycling car bumpers, redundant fish farm cages and utility piping.

Comments from the judges on the project included - 'brilliant' -, - 'liked it' - and - 'nice, new idea'.

Keith Freegard, Axion Recycling Technical Director received the framed certificate at the awards ceremony and said the company was very pleased to have been selected for the Final, which recognised all their efforts in putting the project (literally) on the road.

Over the next few months, Axion will focus its attention on those market sectors offering big volumes of bulky waste plastics and it welcomes inquiries from potential suppliers.

The mobile shredder provides a cost-effective solution for the recycling of bulky plastic items that are difficult and uneconomical to recycle due to high transportation costs.

By travelling to the locations where there are bulky items to shred, the vehicle reduces transport costs, saves space and diverts material from landfill.

Capable of shredding bulky plastics in seconds, the unit is mounted on a curtain-sided truck and staffed by skilled operators who assist with feedstock preparation and loading.

Shredded material is collected in big bags and taken away for re-processing.

New European Production Location and Expanded Capacity to Benefit Customers of GE Plastics' 'xtreme' Lexan Resins.

To provide a European source of supply for its line of 'xtreme' Lexan polycarbonate (PC) resins while boosting overall capacity by approximately 300%, GE Plastics has announced it will expand production of these speciality products beyond the United States. The company will invest 62 million Euro to retrofit its Lexan Resin facility in Bergen op Zoom for the manufacture of Lexan EXL, SLX, DMX, and XHT copolymer resins, giving European customers the advantage of shorter delivery times. Broader availability of these unique materials will help more customers differentiate their applications and achieve new levels of performance, processability, and aesthetics.

'GE's xtreme resins - each with a set of specialised properties - offer customers new ways in which to differentiate their products and even create applications they couldn't produce previously,' said Heiner Markhoff, vice president of GE Plastics Europe.

'We're making a major capital investment to support expected growth of our Lexan resin specials at many of our European customers and worldwide'.

'By adding significant production capacity in The Netherlands, we aim to expedite delivery to European customers so they can accelerate time to market'.

The Lexan xtreme resin line includes the following grades:.

Lexan EXL resins: These grades deliver very high ductility and impact performance in extremely low temperatures (down to -60C).

They also provide improved resistance to heat and humidity.

Flame-retardant grades, based on non-chlorine, non-bromine technology to meet increasingly demanding environmental regulations, are available.

Lexan EXL resins provide improved flow, processing characteristics, and release with opportunities for shorter cycle times, compared to conventional PC resins.

They are available in opaque, transparent, and Visualfx resins with special effects colours.

Applications include mobile phones, electrical enclosures, automotive components, and personal safety equipment.

Lexan SLX resins: Offering outstanding long-term weatherability and UV resistance, these grades are being used in lighting, outdoor vehicles and marine components.

Compared to clear or opaque UV-stabilised PC, Lexan SLX resins demonstrate enhanced retention of clarity, colour, gloss and toughness.

They give customers an alternative to the use of clear UV coatings and paints that can add time and cost.

These resins are available with UL94 HB and V2 listings, and utilise non-chlorine and non-bromine flame-retardant systems for regulatory compliance.

Lexan XHT resins: These materials expand heat resistance capabilities beyond that of standard polycarbonate resins from 165C to 220C Tg, while maintaining many of the desirable properties of polycarbonate.

Typically used in automotive, industrial lighting, and personal protective equipment segments, Lexan XHT resins also offer improved flow and processability compared to other options with equivalent heat resistance, allowing customers to fill larger tools or thinner wall sections.

Current resin grades are available in a range of opaque colours while others in development may be excellent candidates for transparent applications.

Lexan DMX resins: Improved scratch resistance with H pencil hardness, combined with good processing characteristics, offer the potential for improved yields and elimination of painting/coating vs conventional PC.

Lexan DMX resins also provide up to five times better oxygen and moisture barrier performance plus excellent resistance to ammonia, compared to standard PC.

They are available in transparent and Visualfx resins colours, as well as flame-retardant grades with V0 ratings down to 1.5 mm, as well as non-chlorinated, non-brominated flame retardant grades meeting ECO label regulations.

Applications include business equipment, mobile phones, electronic devices, and electrical enclosures.

Autotex hardcoated polyester films are playing a crucial role in a range of advanced electroluminescent (EL) lamps being used for dashboard displays and instrumentation.

Autotex hardcoated polyester films are playing a crucial role in a range of advanced electroluminescent (EL) lamps being used for dashboard displays and instrumentation in the 200mph Ascari KZ1 supercar. Manufactured by Pacel Electronics, the EL lamps have been designed and developed to offer exceptionally high levels of performance, combining excellent levels of light transmission and stability under a wide range of operating temperatures with an extended operating life. Based in Poole, Dorset, Pacel Electronics has been producing EL lamps and associated systems for over 20 years, for use in military, aerospace, marine and, increasingly, automotive applications.

In each case, the company's products are designed to match the specific needs of each customer, with lamps often being used in systems that are exposed to extremes of temperature, shock, vibration and humidity, providing a thin, flexible method of illumination that is easy to integrate into instrument and front panel displays.

EL lamps are constructed from a three-layer sandwich of materials, typically measuring around 0.3mm in thickness and resembling a conventional capacitor in design.

The individual layers that make up the composition of the lamp between the two conductors of the capacitor, are produced by screen printing film substrates with conductive inks.

The front conductor is usually a clear film sputtered with a conductive Indium Tin coating: the rear conductor is usually a screen-printed silver ink.

Connecting an AC voltage, (typically 115Vrms, 400Hz), across the electrodes energises the phosphor particles, causing them to emit energy in the form of light.

Although early EL lamps were susceptible to failure and had a relatively short operating life, often due to the ingress of moisture, the latest versions manufactured by Pacel Electronics utilise special micro-encapsulated phosphors, which are virtually unaffected by moisture, humidity and changes in temperature.

As a result, operating life has been significantly extended, creating the potential for far wider application, with the automotive sector in particular now building EL lamps into both mass market and specialist high performance, low volume vehicles.

For Ascari, the use of EL lamps to backlight instrument displays, including speedometers, tachometers and heating and lighting controls provides an efficient, reliable and aesthetically pleasing method of backlighting.

As Nick Bainton, of Pacel Electronics, explains, 'One of the key criteria for the Ascari engineers was to find a method of illumination that reflected the quality and style of the KZ1 and, in particular, ensured a consistent, easily controllable and low power solution that could be incorporated into highly complex instrument displays simply and at a competitive price'.

The solution developed by Pacel Electronics incorporates the latest micro-encapsulation technology, with the two outer protective layers being manufactured using MacDermid Autotype's Autotex hardcoated polyester film.

This has been developed specifically for use both with high performance screen inks and sputter deposition processes to provide an extremely hard wearing material that is resistant to surface abrasion, solvents and chemicals.

Nick Bainton adds that, 'Autotex is exceptionally stable, both during processing and in subsequent use, so is ideal for applications such as automotive interiors where temperatures and humidity can fluctuate widely'.

'Most crucially, the performance of each EL lamp, in terms of evenness of illumination, depends on achieving a precise thickness for each individually printed layer'.

'With Autotex, we have found that material variations are almost non-existent and are always below two microns, which is well within the tolerances to which we work' Nick Bainton concludes, 'The overall performance of Autotex means that we have standardised on this material for all our commercial EL applications and have built up an excellent relationship with MacDermid Autotype, with their product specialists providing us with both technical and applications support, especially for new projects'.

'Indeed, we are currently working on a number of exciting new developments for a new generation of moulded lamps, all which will incorporate Autotex technology'.

Polyformes carries the complete range of waterproof and dustproof Explorer Cases.

Specialist foam convertor and case supplier, Polyformes, carry the complete range of waterproof and dustproof Explorer Cases. The cases are so robust that a lifetime guarantee is provided by the manufacturers. Used extensively in all field industries including oil and gas, exploration, diving, filming, environmental, military, emergency and medical, Polyformes Explorer Cases offer the ultimate in protection for all types of instrumentation.

The benefits of being able to transport complete monitoring systems and test equipment are tangible in terms of saved time and ease of use of kits.

Cushioning foam holds and protects products in the most ergonomic and economical way, allowing systems to be used directly from the case.

Individual pockets in the foam show instantly if an item has not been replaced.

Dual colour foams highlight this even more so and add value to quality equipment.

Utilities companies, the Ministry of Defence and all major airlines and system manufacturers utilise and rely on Polyformes Explorer Cases.