plastics
PLASTICS

as alternative industrial materials

Polymers, elastomers, duroplastics, thermoplastics, polystyrene, etc. extend the service life of your newly developed products.

Image: BASF

Heraeus

Plastic | The alternative material plastic

The Plastics industry is booming and developing more and more new compositions such as polymers, elastomers, thermosets, thermoplastics, polystyrene and many others. The once bad reputation of plastic due to its long decomposition time is increasingly being replaced by sustainable or recycled and recyclable plastics – Extend the lifespan of your new development with plastic products. We will inform you about everything related to this topic.

Materials Rampf

 

Plastics 2024 – The most important things in brief

Plastics are an indispensable part of industry and drive numerous innovations. A significant trend in the plastics industry is the development and use of sustainable plastics and their raw material recycling. Bio-based plastics such as polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) are becoming increasingly important because they are made from renewable resources and are biodegradable. In addition, there is an increasing focus on recyclable plastics in order to reduce ecological footprint to reduce.

The industry is focusing on improving the recycling processes and the development of technologies for the recycling of plastics. These trends are driven by legal requirements and the growing awareness of environmental protection. The increasing recycling of materials inspires the industry to sustainable innovations in the sense of Recycling.

These are the latest innovations:

Igus bike

6000 km around the world for Igus' 60th birthday

15.10.2024/60/16 | To mark its XNUMXth anniversary, Igus is sending its smart, lubrication-free urban bike made of plastic on a world tour. Over the course of a year, the bike made from recycled plastic will tour XNUMX countries, including Germany, Italy, the USA and China. The aim of the tour: to raise awareness of sustainable mobility and the circular economy of plastics.
bearings

Lubrication-free plain bearing materials without PTFE

26.09.2024/XNUMX/XNUMX | Organic fluorine compounds (PFAS) defy heat, water and dirt and help plain bearings to run dry in a wear-resistant and lubrication-free manner. However, because the chemicals break down very slowly and if they then get into the environment, this can harm people and nature. Igus is therefore developing plain bearing materials such as the new Iglidur JPF, which do not contain PFAS such as PTFE.
TSG

TSG process makes components 70% lighter

30.08.2024/XNUMX/XNUMX | Fried's TSG process combines the advantages of metal casting with those of thermoplastic injection molding. Despite their lower weight, the components have high rigidity. This is achieved through high wall thicknesses and the TSG process. This means that precision and stability can be achieved economically with a high degree of design freedom.
Infrared heat

Infrared heat optimizes film processing

29.07.2024/XNUMX/XNUMX | Plastic films have a wide range of uses, such as roof sealing, food packaging or vehicle interiors. They are refined using processes such as painting, printing, embossing, laminating or covering. Such processes benefit from infrared heat. Excelitas Noblelight offers specially tailored infrared radiators for this purpose.
Lamilus

Antibacterial, glass fibre reinforced plastic

15.07.2024 | The Federal Association of Food Inspectors in Germany (BVLK) has officially recommended the innovative material Lamilux Antibac. This recommendation highlights the exceptional hygienic properties of the material and confirms its effectiveness in food processing.
Recycling

Polyurethane solutions for the circular economy

13.07.2024/2050/XNUMX | At Utech Europe, Covestro is presenting materials and solutions that reflect the company's vision of a circular economy. Climate neutrality is a core element of this. Covestro aims to be completely climate neutral in all areas by XNUMX. Covestro is focusing on three core areas: Crafting Sustainability, Crafting Innovations and Evocycle CQ.
Infrared Heaters

IR and UV emitters for high-quality car interiors

26.04.2024/XNUMX/XNUMX | Interior parts for the vehicle interior should be comfortable and user-friendly. Excelitas Noblelight has the right technology for such applications: In automobile production, an astonishing number of manufacturing steps for seats, dashboards, handles, switches, carpets and shelves are carried out efficiently with the help of infrared heat and UV lamps.
thermoplastics

Sustainable thermoplastics digitized for automotive

24.01.2023/XNUMX/XNUMX | Sumika Polymer Compounds Europe (SPC Europe) and Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence are working together to digitize the performance of new sustainable thermoplastics (PP) for the automotive industry. Engineers can develop recyclable components based on these thermoplastics, reducing the carbon footprint of future vehicles.
Epument

CO2 emissions: mineral casting versus gray cast iron

29.11.2023/2/4,5 | Rampf has had the CO10 footprint of its Epument mineral cast determined. The result is an emission value that is 12.940 times lower than that of gray cast iron. For a 2-ton machine frame, for example, Epument mineral cast iron can save 360 kg of CO2 compared to gray cast iron. With around XNUMX kg of COXNUMX equivalents per ton, the material also has a clear advantage over other materials.
Recycling Wall

igus invests in recycling technology from Mura

09.10.2023 | Igus is investing in Mura Technology's innovative plastic recycling technology. Construction of the first large-scale plant started in April 2023 in Teesside, Great Britain. The first line with a capacity of 20.000 tons per year will go into operation this year. The first plant in Germany is also scheduled to be built in Böhlen, Saxony, by 2025.
Mineral casting

Extremely rigid mineral casting reduces deformation

11.09.2023/80/80.000 | Durcrete, together with Dyckerhoff, has developed a special mixture for machine beds and test frames based on specially treated aggregates. The Nanodur concrete E50 has an elastic modulus of over XNUMX N/mm². This makes the material XNUMX% more deformation-stable and stiffer than the previously known classic mineral casting formulations based on epoxy resin or cement.

Plastic types

There are different types of plastics used in industry, each with specific properties and applications. Here are some of the most important types of plastics:

  • Polyethylene (EP)
    • High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is robust and chemical-resistant, suitable for containers, pipes and packaging
    • Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is flexible and transparent, used for films, bags and bottles
  • Polypropylene (PP) with high heat resistance and chemical resistance for packaging, automotive parts and textiles
  • Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) 
    • Rigid PVC or rigid polyvinyl chloride is robust for pipes, window frames and Cablessheathing
    • Soft PVC or soft polyvinyl chloride is flexible for hoses, floor coverings and artificial leather
  • Polystyrene (hp)
    • High impact polystyrene (HIPS) is impact resistant for Housing, packaging and insulation
    • Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is lightweight, insulating for packaging and building insulation
  • Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is transparent and strong for PET bottles, food packaging and textile fibers
  • Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) is impact-resistant, easy to process and suitable for housings of electrical appliances, automotive parts and toys
  • polyamide (PA, Nylon) with high strength and wear resistance used for textiles, Sprockets and warehouse
  • Polycarbonate (PC) is transparent and highly impact-resistant for safety glasses, CDs and electronic housings
  • Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE, Teflon) is very chemical resistant, heat resistant and is used for Seals, Coatings and Layer
  • Polyurethane (PU) is flexible to hard, depending on the composition is used for foams, paints, adhesives and elastic fibers
  • Epoxy resins with high strength and chemical resistance for use in adhesives, coatings and Composites
  • Phenolic resins (PF) with high heat resistance and used for electrical insulation, housings and brake pads.

The following plastics are often used in industrial applications. We will inform you about these plastics in detail:

3D printing plastics and filaments

The Filaments and materials for the 3D Print are constantly evolving. The current state of development shows increasing diversity and higher performance 3D printer Materials, which not least meet the often robust requirements in industry. In addition to sustainability, the components must also be increasingly high-performance.

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epoxy resin

Epoxy resin | Adhesive for constructive bonding & casting

Epoxy resin adhesive, also known as epoxy glue, is used as construction adhesive used, which is particularly strong and resistant even at high temperatures. The connections of the 1K or 2K adhesives are vibration-resistant, vibration-resistant and impact-resistant. the constructor is very flexible with an epoxy resin adhesive and can also be different Materials glue together.

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Liquid resin and epoxy resin for prototypes, models and molds

Tailor-made solutions for the entire production process are presented, from prototype construction, through the construction of models, molds and tools, to production. New to the portfolio are liquid resin systems for structural and interior composite materials. With the epoxy resin block and liquid materials, first-class Forms and  Model Implement products made of epoxy resin.

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Mineral cast machine bed | produce economically

Machine beds are used as a stable base for the Assembly and fixing various machines such as cutting machines, machining centers or Robots The materials used for this have individual properties that offer advantages depending on the application. The machine bed made of mineral cast, for example, is suitable for high-precision machines. 

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Polyamide | For electromobility and industrial applications

The engineering plastic polyamide offers above all a high strength, a good Oil resistance and it is very durable. BASF has recently expanded its portfolio to include a flame-retardant PA66 polyamide type. The strong orange color meets the strong demand for dye in the Automotive sector in the menu.

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Thermoplastic polyimide for high temperature applications

The thermoplastic polyimide Aurum is a highly heat-resistant super-engineering plastic with high production efficiency in the injection molding sector. The thermal plastic challenges the conventional wisdom that polyimide is very powerful but difficult to process. This PI portfolio is also suitable for 3D printing.

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Polyurethane | Versatile, adaptable, flexible

Otto Bayer and his team at Bayer AG in Leverkusen first synthesized polyurethane in 1937. Polyurethanes today are versatile plastics that are characterized by adaptability and performance in numerous applications. Today, industry is striving to more sustainable and more environmentally friendly to develop polyurethane solutions.

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Thermoplastics | lightweight, heat-resistant, sustainable

The demand for new sustainable plastics that are also recyclable is increasing. This also applies to thermoplastics, which are often used in the automotive industry. In addition to a technology for Material modeling, which reduces the carbon content in plastic by 60%, thermoplastic innovations can be used to save weight and achieve other advantages. 

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Technical plastic Ultrason with optimized sliding friction

The technical plastic Ultrason is particularly suitable Automotive componentswhich are protected from contact with hot oil. The polyethersulfone (PESU) Ultrason E0510 C2TR offers very good tribological properties, dimensional stability even under large temperature fluctuations and high resistance to oil.

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Composite materials | Composite the best of everything

Composites are innovative materials that offer exceptional mechanical properties and performance characteristics through the combination of different components. They are characterized by their high strength, low weight and outstanding durability. The composite material shows its unique advantages in the latest composite developments on the market.

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Plastics Research

Inka

Plastics development: bio-based, circular, more sustainable

The Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology “Umsicht” is developing new materials for the resource-efficient use of plastics. The focus is on bioplastics, a circular plastics economy and strategies to reduce macro- and microplastics in the environment.
carbon fibers

Materials with carbon fibers from algae

In combination with local granite or other hard rocks, carbon fibers enable completely new construction and building materials. Theoretical calculations show that if the carbon fibers are made from algae oil, the production of the innovative materials removes more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than is released. A research project at TUM aims to advance these technologies further.
FK extension

FKM materials for renewable fuels

Synthetic fuels are expected to significantly improve the carbon footprint of conventional drives. New results from FST's materials research show what influence OME, which is being discussed as a diesel replacement, has on the long-term stability of seals. Accordingly, seals based on the already widely used material fluororubber (FKM) are also fundamentally suitable for renewable fuels.
epoxy resin

Special formula for an epoxy resin adhesive

A special formula for an epoxy resin was developed at the Vienna University of Technology. It can be used for fiber-reinforced composites in aircraft, car or ship construction and is even suitable for underwater renovations. The new material can change completely within seconds.

Manufacturing and recycling

Plastic recycling | Towards a circular economy

In recent years, there has been a clear trend towards more plastic recycling due to the increasing global demands for Recycling for plastic. Some industrial companies are already responding to this trend – and the trend is increasing. This article answers your questions about their investments, strategies and innovations. 

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Technology center showcases Barnes Group injection molding expertise

The Molding Solutions division of the Barnes Group has Foboha Technology Center for injection molding in Haslach. The technical center provides basic knowledge and injection molding expertise all year round and is available to customers for tests. In addition, small series can be manufactured here if necessary and customer events can be held.

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Applications and Industries

Liquid sealant in automobiles
Fibre seals for automobiles
CFRP for the bonnet
Digitalized thermoplastics for automobiles
In-situ sealing system for cars
Polymer solutions for e-mobility
Polyamide for fuel cells
Plastic recycled urban bike
High performance polymers for forklifts
Soundproofing for Hamburg
Vibration isolation in the cinema
Recyclable polyurethane for mattresses
High-performance insulation for facades
Flame retardant polyurethane board for interior use
Tribo-polymers for food technology
Plastic connection for medical wound cleaning

manufacturer know-how

Exelitas Plastics

Exelitas Noblelight, formerly Heraeus, is known in the plastics industry for its innovative lighting solutions for plastics processing, among others. The company offers special UV lamps and IR emitters that are used in various plastics processing processes. These technologies improve efficiency and quality in applications such as curing, drying, deburring and welding of plastics.

Infrared heaters for efficient heat processes for plastics

Excelitas Noblelight infrared heaters play a crucial role in modern industry. With their ability to deliver heat precisely and efficiently, they optimize numerous industrial processes, from Plastics processing to final production. Find out how infrared heaters make industrial applications more efficient and of better quality and why they are considered a key technology for energy-efficient heating processes.

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Igus Plastics

Igus manufactures a variety of high-performance plastics that have been specially developed for moving applications. The range is based on various polymers. These include: Iglidur for maintenance-free bearingsmaterials, Iglidur high-temperature plastic for extreme conditions, Iglidur FDA-compliant for the food and pharmaceutical sector and Tribo-filaments as wear-resistant materials for 3D Print.

World's first urban bike made from recycled plastic

Maintenance-free, lubricant-free, sustainably produced and rust-proof, the new Urban Bike from Igus sets new standards in sustainable mobility. The Bicycle made of recycled plastic will transport generations of people. On the Hannover Messe In 2022, the plastics visionary presented the groundbreaking concept for the industry with the new Igus:Bike platform. You can follow the development to date here.

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Sustainability plastics – CO2 neutral with recycling

The importance of sustainability in the plastics industry is growing. Recycling is becoming more and more important. Companies like Igus are increasingly focusing on environmentally friendly solutions and are contributing to the change in the plastics industry. The Motion Plastics specialist shows how the use of high-performance plastics can Recycling can have a positive impact. Read how sustainable plastics and their production can impact CO2-neutral.

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3D printing filament and material - durable!

3D printers at igus also produce components with different filaments. In the 2-component printing Various material properties can be easily combined. For example, 3D printed components can achieve a special rigidity and high wear resistance. The latest 3D printing materials are the temperature-resistant Iglidur i230 for SLS or the resin Iglidur i3000 for DLP printing.

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Other manufacturers

There are about 7000 plastics processing companies in Germany. They are responsible for producing a wide range of plastic products that are used in various industries such as automotive, construction and packaging. In Europe as a whole, there are about 50.000 plastics processors. This number includes companies that are involved in the production, processing and recycling of plastics. Here are the most important ones:

  • BASF produces a wide range of plastics, including polyurethane and polyamide, and specializes in specialty chemicals and functional materials.
  • Dow Chemical is a manufacturer of polyethylene and polypropylene, with a focus on packaging solutions and industrial applications.
  • Dupont is known for the production of nylon and Teflon, specializing in high-performance materials and engineering plastics.
  • Sabic produces polycarbonate and ABS plastics and specializes in solutions for the automotive, electronics and construction industries.
  • Covestro is a manufacturer of polyurethane and polycarbonate with a focus on innovative materials for the mobility, construction and electronics sectors.
  • Lanxess produces engineering plastics such as PBT and polyamides, specializing in applications in the automotive and electronics industries.
  • Evonik is a manufacturer of PMMA (acrylic glass) and polyamide 12 and focuses on high-performance plastics for the automotive, medical and electronics sectors.
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Jumo Brau
Schaeffler
Igus phone EKS
Mitsubishi
Artiminds
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