Mitsui Chemicals to Showcase UHMW-PE Grades as a PTFE Alternative at Fakuma 2024
Last update on Oct 4, 2024
At Fakuma 2024, Stand B1 - 1004, will showcase its Lubmer UHMW-PE grades as a high-performance PTFE alternative in injection molding and extrusion.
Low Noise Development During Sliding Movements
Lubmer UHMW-PE grades from Mitsui Chemicals offer high-performance solutions where applications for engineering plastics place increased demands on sliding, abrasion and wear behavior.
In many cases, these materials, which are suitable for both injection molding and extrusion, can replace the previous standard solution PTFE, which will no longer be produced in Europe in the future, if its high heat resistance is not required.
In addition to their excellent tribological properties, they are characterized by good chemical resistance, low density, very low water absorption and high flexibility and impact strength at low temperatures. Another advantage is the low noise development during sliding movements. Dreyplas, Meerbusch, is the distributor for Lubmer materials in the DACH region.
Weather-resistant Grade for Glass Running Channels
The Lubmer granulate range includes the highly abrasion-resistant types L3000, L4000 and L5000, which differ in terms of their molecular weight. In addition, the special grade L5220, which contains a low oil content, offers self-lubricating properties.
Lubmer TM-80B is a weather-resistant grade that was specially developed for glass running channels (GRC) in motor vehicles. These granules are the only UHMW-PE products in the world that are suitable for traditional thermoplastic processing methods. They allow the use of hot runner technology and tunnel sprue systems for injection molding technical parts, and they are also suitable for the extrusion of sheets, profiles and hoses. In both cases, their opaque, light inherent color facilitates coloring with masterbatches.
Unlike the granules suitable for direct processing, Lubmer LY1040 is a masterbatch based on the standard grades that is compatible with most engineering plastics and can replace PTFE as an additive. As a PFAS-free engineering plastic modifier, it exhibits better sliding properties than PTFE or molybdenum disulphide even at low addition levels of 3% to 5%. It can also significantly improve the wear resistance of PA6 and many other materials without affecting the substrate properties. Typical applications include bearings and gear parts for electrical equipment and automotive interior parts as well as mechanical components for lifts and escalators.
Can be Returned to PE Recycling Loop
Mitsui Chemical has developed the PA Lubmer alloys LS4140 and LS4120 for applications that require increased mechanical strength. The PA masterbatch LY4100, which can be added during extrusion or injection molding without compounding, rounds off the portfolio.
At their end of life, all Lubmer product types can be returned to the PE recycling loop thanks to their thermoplastic processability. Another plus in terms of sustainability is the fact that injection molding produces little to no waste, unlike the machining of conventional UHMW-PE products. And due to its density, which is half that of PTFE, LUBMER has proven to be advantageous for use in lightweight components with increased durability.
Together with customers, Dreyplas and Mitsui Chemicals Europe develop solutions for the substitution of PTFE as well as special grades with application-specific properties that go beyond those of the standard grades available.