LONG FIBER-REINFORCED EXTRUDED PARTS
Ticona has introduced two new Celstran(r) Long-Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastics (LFRTs) specially formulated for extrusion. Both are 50% long-glass fiber composites meant to blend with unfilled HDPE and PP resins. The high melt strength of the new LFRTs preserves the length of the reinforcing fibers in processing, giving finished parts up to four-times greater strength and stiffness than conventional short-fiber filled resins. According to Celstran product Marketing Manager, Chuck Calhoun, "These are production materials available today and compatible with common blow-molding and extrusion resins and equipment. They open new design opportunities for large parts and extruded shapes." Long-fiber reinforced resins incorporate glass fibers 11mm long, approximately ten-times longer than the chopped fibers in ordinary filled resins. The performance improvements over short-fiber or unfilled plastics are dramatic for high-density polyethylene and adding LFRT to the blow-molding or extrusion blend nearly doubles stiffness and strength of polypropylene parts. The new long-fiber polyethylene and polypropylene are readily colored and can be processed by standard equipment.

For more information, contact Ticona Information Center, 114 Mayfield Ave., Edison, NJ 08837, 800-235-2637.