15 Jun 2001
PEEK polymer selected for the stretch rod tips of injection stretch blow moulding machines
Aoki Technical Laboratory Inc. (President: Shigeto Aoki, Head office: Sakaki-machi, Nagano-pref.), Japan's dedicated manufacturer of injection stretch blow moulding machines, recently announced the addition of PEEK™ (polyaryletheretherketone) polymer to their moulding machine’s stretch rod tips. PEEK™ replaces polyamide resin.
The stretch rod tip, built into the blow mechanism, forcefully presses the pre-form into the bottom of the mould at the stretch blow station. Because this tip comes in direct contact with the heated pre-form, it requires excellent heat and impact resistance. Stretch rod tips made of PEEK™ polymer can withstand continuous operation for long hours under a temperature of 150ºC. As a result, these tips are excellent for special stretch blow moulding applications such as large, 20L PC water bottles or 100 to 300mL baby bottles, commonly with thick bottoms.
Aoki’s research team conducted an extensive series of tests before finding conclusively that the PEEK™ polymer was the best solution for the tip’s coating. Yasushi Tamura, Aoki’s Mould Department Manager commented, "We made a lot of abortive attempts to create the optimum stretch rod tip. At first we experimented with polyamide resin but it didn’t have the long-term endurance required for the stretch blow moulding process. Next, we tried aluminium. The results were disappointing because the aluminium caused a temperature drop at the pre-form head, reducing product quality. Attempts with polysulfone also failed because it broke too easily at the screw section. We even tried to use chemical wood but it has inferior impact resistance. Even a combination of aluminium and polyamide resin failed to provide a satisfactory result. Finally, the PEEK™ polymer proved to be the optimal material for the stretch rod tip."
Victrex plc, which has its sales, technical and production headquarters at Thornton Cleveleys in Lancashire, UK, had a turnover of more than £58m in the last financial year. The company exports 98 percent of its VICTREX® PEEK™ polymer output to OEMs in the automotive, industrial, medical, food and electronics market sectors in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific.
Information on products, technical support services and sales and distribution contacts worldwide, can be accessed through the company’s web site: www.victrex.com
Reader enquiries
Helen SwarbrickVictrex plc
Victrex Technology Centre
Hillhouse International
Thornton Cleveleys
Lancashire FY5 4QD
United Kingdom
Tel +44 1253 897700
Fax +44 1253 897701
United Kingdom
Notes for editors
The PEEK™ Trademark
For many years Victrex plc has been using the PEEK™ trademark to refer to its brand of Polyaryletherketone. Victrex plc is the sole manufacturer and supplier of the PEEK™ brand polymer world-wide. PEEK™ is a trademark of Victrex plc.
Related images
Aoki Technical Laboratory, Japan's dedicated manufacturer of injection stretch blow moulding machines, selects PEEK™ polymer for the stretch rod tips of their moulding machine’s.
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