9 Dec 2004
LEXAN* EXL RESIN TOE CAPS KEEP WORKERS LIGHT ON THEIR FEET
New copolymer meets sub-zero temperature impact requirements
New safety shoes from leading personal protection equipment supplier Bacou-Dalloz have toe caps injection molded in LEXAN EXL polycarbonate. The toe caps provide the protection of conventional steel versions at a fraction of the weight, making the shoes significantly more comfortable to wear.
LEXAN EXL 1414 incorporates proprietary siloxane copolymer technology that extends low-temperature impact strength and cold-temperature ductility of polycarbonate while retaining other key mechanical properties. It is one of the new X GEN* range of resins from GE Advanced Materials.
Based in France, the Bacou-Dalloz Group is a European leader in protective footwear. It makes more than two million pairs of shoes a year. It places strong emphasis on comfort, noting that all its products are designed to make the people they are protecting want to wear them.
The new shoes, which the company makes at its plant in Partizanske, Slovakia, stand out in their ability to continue to help protect the wearer at sub-zero temperatures. The impact strength of LEXAN EXL 1414 at –40°C is only marginally lower than at normal ambient temperatures.
The material also offers important advantages for the processor: its good flow properties make the multi-cavity hot-runner mold easy to fill, even in thin-wall areas. Melt viscosity, especially at low shear rates, is notably lower than general purpose polycarbonate. It yields parts with high knit-line strength and low residual stresses.
LEXAN EXL 1414 processes well in most conventional injection molds and exhibits excellent release properties, facilitating shorter cycle times and improved production. It can be injection molded and extruded, and is available in a wide range of opaque colors.
The siloxane softblock in the polycarbonate backbone of LEXAN EXL 1414 not only helps to improve mechanical properties but also improves UV stability, making it an excellent candidate for outdoor applications. The polymer also has good hydrolytic stability.
The Bacou-Dalloz group is based in France but has production sites around the world and is present in most world markets. It has several world brands in its portfolio of products for head-, body- and fall-protection. Details at www.bacou-dalloz.com.
LEXAN EXL 1414 is one of the new X GEN range of resins from GE Advanced Materials. Its typical properties include:
• Weatherability. Maintains impact ductility after outdoor exposure.
• Impact resistance. Low temperature ductility up to -60ºC.
• Flame retardancy. Conforms to Blue Angel and TCO99 standards.
• Chemical resistance. Risists a varied of industrial and consumer chemicals.
• Processability. 20-40% cycle time reduction and can eliminate sticking.
Reader enquiries
GE PlasticsPlasticslaan 1
4600 AC Bergen op Zoom
Netherlands
Helen Vandebovenkamp
helen.vandebovenkamp@ge.com
Tel: +31 164 29 20 97
Fax: +31 164 29 10 66
Netherlands
Notes for editors
About GE Advanced Materials
GE Advanced Materials (http://www.geadvancedmaterials.com) is a world leader in providing materials solutions through engineering thermoplastics, silicon-based products and technology platforms, and fused quartz and ceramics. Among its businesses are:
• Plastics – which is a global plastics materials supplier and distributor, serving customers in a variety of industries including aerospace, appliances, automotive, building and construction, data storage and optical media, medical, electrical and electronics devices, telecommunications, computers and peripheral devices, outdoor vehicles and devices, and packaging (http://www.geplastics.com).
• Silicones – which includes GE Toshiba Silicones in the Pacific region and GE Bayer Silicones in Europe, offering silanes, specialty silicones, urethane additives, adhesives, sealants, resins, and elastomers for a variety of industries such as personal care, automotive, tire and rubber, construction, healthcare, electronics, household and institutional, agriculture, textiles, appliances, bedding and furnishings, foam control, and consumer (http://www.gesilicones.com).
• Quartz – which provides high-purity quartz and advanced ceramic materials for the semiconductor, telecommunications, lighting, electronics, personal care, water purification, and various other industries (http://www.gequartz.com).
GE (NYSE: GE) is a diversified technology, media, and financial services company dedicated to creating products that make life better. From aircraft engines and power generation to financial services, medical imaging, television programming, and plastics, GE operates in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's website at http://www.ge.com.
* LEXAN and X GEN are trademarks of General Electric Company.
Related images
New safety shoes from leading personal protection equipment supplier Bacou-Dalloz have toe caps injection molded in LEXAN* EXL polycarbonate. The toe caps provide the protection of conventional steel versions at a fraction of the weight, making the shoes significantly more comfortable to wear. The new shoes stand out in their ability to continue to help protect the wearer at sub-zero temperatures. The impact strength of LEXAN EXL at –40°C is only marginally lower than at normal ambient temperatures.
Editorial enquiries
Marianne Schouten
GE Advanced Materials
Brigitta de Vries
Marketing Solutions NV