DESIGN/MOULD FIRM QUADRANT CMS SELECTS AKULON® ULTRAFLOW® FOR HIGH STRENGTH SOLARIUM HINGE

Belgium-based Quadrant CMS, a major European design, moulding, assembly and logistics company, selected Akulon® UltraFlow® K-FG12 polyamide 6 (PA6) from DSM Engineering Plastics to mould hinge assemblies of a consumer market full-body tanning solarium for Philips. Akulon PA6 provides significantly faster moulding, better surface finish and the ability to take on a broader range of colour than the conventional glass-filled PA6 grade it replaced.

Akulon UltraFlow K-FG12, a 60-percent glass-filled formulation, meets the need for high strength and stiffness, as the ratchet-like hinge must support the solarium’s 50+ kg top at various angles. The high flow characteristics of Akulon UltraFlow also proved important, both to fill the hinge’s intricate ribs and geometry, and to ensure mouldability at temperatures low enough to permit a broad range of colour masterbatches.

“We worked with the Quadrant CMS design team to find the right combination of mechanical strength, surface finish and colour,” said Wim Dirven, Account Manager for DSM Engineering Plastics. “UltraFlow in this case preserves surface aesthetics despite the heavy glass loading, and it helps prevent warpage. A plus is its capability to fill moulds at relatively low temperatures, so that a broader range of colours can be used—colour and aesthetics are particularly important in consumer products.”

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DSM Engineering Plastics

DSM Engineering Plastics is a business group forming part of DSM's Performance Materials cluster. DSM Engineering Plastics is a global supplier of Stanyl PA46 and Akulon® 6 and 66 polyamides, Arnitel® TPE-E, Arnite® PBT and PET polyesters, Xantar® polycarbonate, Yparex® extrudable adhesive resins, and Stamylan® UH Ultra High Molecular Weight PE. These materials are used in technical components for electrical appliances, electronic equipment and cars, in barrier packaging films as well as in many mechanical and extrusion applications. The business group had annual sales of EUR 624 million in 2004. With Stanyl, it is the global market leader in high-heat polyamides.

Akulon®, Arnite®, Arnitel®, Stanyl®, Stamylan® UH, Xantar® and Yparex® are registered trademarks of DSM Engineering Plastics.