SABIC Innovative Plastics' Expression 2011
palette transforms LEDs into design showstoppers
with classy eye-catching colours and elegant effects

SABIC Innovative Plastics' new Expression 2011 palette - a dazzling array of resin colors and special effects for light emitting diodes (LEDs), is designed to answer customer calls for better, longer-lasting LED life and improved efficiency, and reflects the latest technological milestone in the long evolution of lighting. To expand the design potential of LEDs and encourage adoption of these green light sources, Expression 2011 elements - created based on research into the latest trends - give lighting designers exciting new sources of inspiration and a clear competitive edge. By influencing light transmission, diffusion and color, these materials spark innovation and epitomize SABIC Innovative Plastics' success in helping customers create stylish, distinctive and differentiated products.

"The Expression 2011 program validates the tremendous potential of LEDs for advanced design and for energy conservation," said Egi van der Veeken, aesthetic specialist, SABIC Innovative Plastics. "SABIC Innovative Plastics can help LED technology achieve new levels of design creativity, efficiency, sustainability and practicality for multiple industries ranging from automotive to mobile devices. The Expression 2011 portfolio encourages designers to take full advantage of the different moods, effects and spectrum of colors it offers to run with their ideas and explore all the vast possibilities this new technology can offer."

Following the Light with Lexan* Resin
The new Expression 2011 collection showcases the versatility of different Lexan resin grades for enhancing LED light. Lexan* Visualfx* resins in three neutral white colors - Minor Vision, Midway Gauzy and Mighty Pure - offer three different levels of transparency and light scattering. Opalescent colors of Lexan SLX resin in pale blue tones further reduce light transmission for a softer look.

Color punch is delivered with high-chromatic Lima and Icy Mango shades in Lexan EXL Visualfx resin, while strong, dense hues are displayed in Cerulean (medical-grade transparent Lexan resin), and Emerald Forest and Venetian Cherry (optical-grade transparent Lexan resin). Colors can be matched to the CIE 1931 xyY Chromaticity Diagram.

Full Portfolio of Materials to Optimize LED Performance
In addition to developing the Expression 2011 palette for aesthetics, SABIC Innovative Plastics provides a wide range of specialized resins and compounds that help to raise the performance and extend the useful life of LEDs. For example, the company's Extem* resin portfolio of amorphous thermoplastic polyimide (TPI) and polyetherimide (PEI) resins provide high thermal resistance up to 311C Tg and are inherently flame retardant without use of halogenated additives. LNP* Konduit* compounds, with exceptional conductivity performance, can conduct heat away from LEDs into a heat sink or the surrounding air. Halogen-free flame-retardant LNP Starflam* compounds offer insulative properties and can be formulated to meet electrical standards, such as the IEC 50595 glow-wire test. Transparent Lexan XHT resin offers higher thermal performance than standard polycarbonate, making it suitable for many clear lighting applications.

For further information on SABIC Innovative Plastics' Expression 2011 color palette, view website: www.sabic-ip.com

SABIC Innovative Plastics' clear, high-temp Lexan* copolymers
deliver top-end design solutions for industry's most demanding applications

SABIC Innovative Plastics' mission to help customers drive down system costs while achieving exceptional performance with high-end thermoplastics has led to another industry game-changer - Lexan* XHT clear, high-temperature polycarbonate (PC) copolymers. This innovative family of advanced PC resins features new polymer chemistry with an optimal balance of high heat resistance and high flow, enabling it to offer greatly expanded design options for molding thin-wall parts such as medical devices and electrical fuses. Lexan XHT copolymers also offer excellent clarity and colorability, making them top choices for applications like consumer and industrial lighting and heat shields. They are part of SABIC Innovative Plastics' growing Lexan copolymers portfolio built on the technology foundation laid by Lexan PC resin's 50-year track record.

"With Lexan XHT copolymers, SABIC Innovative Plastics is delivering on a previously unmet market need for a true high-heat resin technology with a near perfect balance of properties vs. other clear, high-heat materials," said Bala Ambravaneswaran, product marketing director, Lexan Copolymers & Special Effects, SABIC Innovative Plastics. "These innovative materials give our customers the high-tech yet practical solutions they need to succeed in new high-performance applications. Following the success of Lexan XHT copolymers in automotive lighting, we are quickly moving into diverse and equally challenging application areas."

Clear Resin Delivers Highest Performance for Extreme Heat Conditions
Lexan XHT copolymers address the need for PC-based materials with end-use temperatures in the range of 140C to 195C. They deliver an industry-leading relative thermal index (RTI) Underwriters Laboratories (UL) rating of 150C, surpassing polyarylate (PAR), polymethyl methacrylimide (PMMI) and other high-heat polycarbonates (HHPC). This exceptional high-temperature performance is achieved through proprietary chemistry that alters the polymer backbone by incorporating specialized monomers.

Copolymers offer higher performance than compounds, blends and additives, which are not chemically integrated.
Lexan XHT copolymers surpass competitive high-heat materials in other key areas: Lower color shift on ultraviolet (UV) weathering vs. PAR Better color stability under heat aging vs. HHPC Improved tensile and impact strength retention after heat aging vs. HHPC Better resistance to cracks and haze after metallization than HHPC Improved flame retardancy vs. PC, PMMI and HHPC. Compliance with eco protocols and UL94 capability down to V0 at 1mm and 5VA at 3mm in clear and opaque colors Electrical properties suitable for high-heat film applications.

Comparable alternate materials show marked yellowing and haze after extended exposure to heat and UV light, impacting the appearance of the application. In contrast, Lexan XHT copolymers minimize color shift and retain clarity over a long lifespan. The high-heat color stability and clarity of Lexan XHT copolymers make them an excellent candidate for applications including aesthetic and functional enclosures for industrial and commercial lighting, consumer products such as heat resistant helmets and heat shields, electrical components such as fuses, and non-biocompatible healthcare devices that must undergo autoclaving.

These materials have already been proven in automotive applications including bezels, reflectors and lens covers where they enable direct metallization, which eliminates the costs and environmental impact from pre-coating the part with paint or lacquer. When vacuum-metalized, parts made from Lexan XHT copolymers can withstand temperatures of up to 175C without blistering, hazing, delaminating or losing their brilliant luster. 

Lexan XHT resins are available in a variety of colors with a clear or opaque base. Special visual effects such as diffusion, metallic and sparkle for custom needs, in challenging applications such as industrial lighting, and glass replacement are also available.

Up to 30 Percent Higher Flow and Less Scrap Reduce System Costs
To help designers reduce size, mass and weight, and create thinner-walled flame-retardant parts such as housings for consumer electronics, Lexan XHT copolymer grades offer improved flow characteristics for injection molding. These materials deliver a 30 percent longer flow length and better mold release than competitive high-heat materials, which help decrease melt temperatures and cooling requirements and cut cycle times by as much as 25 percent. In a heat-critical thin wall battery cover application, Lexan XHT resin was able to fill a part with 0.7mm nominal wall thickness.

Further, Lexan XHT copolymers can be recycled, allowing scrap to be reused in molding to raise yield and lower net costs. For example, because these materials can be direct-metalized without lacquering, scrap can be reused in the molding process. These properties can significantly reduce system costs, enabling a competitive advantage for customers. For further information, view website: www.sabic-ip.com   Refer to next page

Asiamold 2010 attracts high level of repeat exhibitors

Asiamold with its unique fair concept from design to proto-typing to series production is one of the most dynamic mould and die industry exhibitions in the region. Receiving thousands of professional buyers and senior decision makers from the likes of Canon, Hitachi, Mitsubishi, Panasonic and Siemens, 80% of last year's exhibitors have already confirmed their participation in the upcoming edition to be held at the Polyworld Trade Centre Expo from 15 - 17 September 2010.
 
Ready to fulfil the procurement needs of the mould and die industry are returning exhibitors Cimatron, EOS, Hongrita, J & K Mold, Magma, Schmiedewerke Groeditz, Shing Fung, Sunway, and Tebis. They will be joined this year by new comers including Good View, A-Torch and Jouder, together, the fourth edition of Asiamold is set to host a business atmosphere of technological innovation.
 
China's mould and die market going strong
The China's mould and die market continues to grow at a steady pace.The total import and export value for the first 9 months in 2009 was USD 2.8 billion, with imports valued at USD 1.47 billion and exports USD 1.33 billion. The majority of moulds being imported and exported during this timeframe were plastic, with market stakes of 50% and 71%, after which, came die casting moulds, with imports of 11% and exports of 19%.
 
Competitive labour rates and increasing domestic demand for motor vehicles have led a growing number of major auto brands in recent years to relocate their manufacturing operations to China. In 2009, China surpassed both the US and Japan to become the world's number one market and manufacturer of automobiles. Auto production in China reached 13.8 million units last year, up 48% from 2008. Industry experts predict that China's auto market will grow by 10 million units within 10 years.
 
Automold Zone and Plastics Design Zone to meet market needs
In view of the considerable potential existing for the production of auto components and the growing demand for specialised auto moulds in China, 70% of the popular Automold Zone has already been reserved. Key players exhibiting in this area include Datamatic, Gold Lodestar, GRG Lamko Mold, Kaidaxing, Jizhun Precision, PE Mould, Plastic Mould and XinMao Industry.
 
To meet the market needs of the plastics industry, a new Plastics Design Zone will be launched. Suppliers of hot-running technology, related materials, injection technology, engineering and CAD/CAM will be gathered together under one roof for easy sourcing. Already, top supplier Moldmaster has confirmed their presence.
 
Asiamold is organised by Guangzhou Guangya Messe Frankfurt, in cooperation with DEMAT GmbH and the Hong Kong Mould & Die Council. The 2009 show was hailed an international success, 298 exhibitors from 12 countries and regions participated in the event, which received 10,468 buyers from 38 countries and regions.

For further information on the 2010 show, view website: www.asiamold-china.com