Introducing Kelvx® copolyester resin from Eastman Chemical Company

Eastman Chemical Company has recently introduced Kelvx® copolyester resin for use in outdoor architectural glazing applications.

Kelvx resin is a versatile material that provides long-term durability and temperature resistance for outdoor applications such as signs and architectural glazing products. Sheet made with Kelvx resin expands design options, while providing manufacturing flexibility, chemical and impact resistance, ease of fabrication, and superior thermoforming characteristics-all of which can yield product differentiation, cost savings, and total satisfaction for both the converter and the end-use customer.

Kelvx copolyester resin is a versatile material that is easily fabricated, and provided the material is protected with a co extruded UV layer, it is resistant to UV-light, extreme temperatures and high impact. It is also durable, making it ideal for outdoor applications such as signs and architectural glazing products.

Used as a sheet material, Kelvx is easy to work with, especially in terms of cutting, and performs well in relatively harsh environmental conditions. The material does not become too hard in structure, because fabrication wise it is similar to the well-established Spectar® product. This means it is easy to achieve accurate cutting, without damaging the cutting mill in the process.

The thermoforming cycle time of Kelvx resin is 15 to 25 % faster than other materials, such as impact-modified acrylic resin or polycarbonate. This is because the desired three-dimensional structure can be created at much lower temperatures.

Wide temperature range

There are a number of performance demands made on outdoor glazing. Firstly, it has to resist extreme temperatures. In the summer months, the resin may well have to absorb long hours of intense solar heat, perhaps taking the sign’s surface temperature to over 60°C during the daytime, then reducing rapidly at night. Materials that cannot withstand this extreme change are prone to expansion and shrinkage, resulting in loss of form. Kelvx’s chemical structure gives the material a relatively low coefficiency of expansion and a wide temperature range, which is a significant advantage.

Impact resistance is another key criterion. The new durable outdoor material has some 20 times the impact resistance of impact modified acrylic. This makes is an effective choice for environments where components must resist possible damage from vandalism.

Sheet made with Kelvx resin offers a unique combination of desirable features:

* Wide temprature range

* UV protection possible

* Thermoforms without pre-drying

* Thermoforms at lower temperatures than acrylic or polycarbonate

* Provides higher impact strength than impact-modified acrylic

* Can be painted, printed, or vinyl decorated

* Provides excellent thermoforming detail

* Good chemical resistance

* CC1 Building Code approved

Reader enquiries

Eastman Chemical Company
Fascinatio Boulevard 602-614
2909 VA Capelle a/d IJssel

Netherlands

+31 10 240 23 17

odette@​eastman.com