TPi October 2009

Tube Extruded

Machinery manufacturer finds positivity at Plast SICA, a producer of plastic pipe processing machinery, says that it has noticed signs of market recovery, having seen indications at the beginning of March. Despite the worldwide economic crisis, the company has invested strongly in research and development. During the Plast exhibition in Milan the company presented innovative machines for cutting and socketing rigid pipes, and for coiling flexible pipes (corrugated and smooth pipes). Despite concerns of limited participation at the exhibition, the number of registered visitors was only slightly lower than the previous Plast, and almost all companies met had projects to be discussed. Some orders were closed during the exhibition, which raised spirits after the disappointing months of January and February.

PVDF innovation for chemical equipment

ARKEMA, a producer of polyvinylidene fluoride resins and a supplier of anti- corrosion PVDF solutions to the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, has developed new patented technology that allows Kynar ® closed-cell foams to be extruded into pipes, chemical piping and stock shapes such as rods for chemical installations. Commercial applications for Kynar foam had previously been limited to foamed jacketing for plenum-rated wire and cable. Parts made from Kynar PVDF foam retain many of the properties of the PVDF resin and are up to 30% lighter than those made from conventional Kynar resin. “Arkema’s research group worked for over a year to improve the processability of Kynar foams before testing it outside the lab,” said Guenter Sappelt, Kynar CPI account manager for Europe. “To everyone’s delight, for some customers it took only a few hours to extrude Kynar foams with the expected lighter densities and enhanced properties.” Initially developed to lower the cost of Kynar PVDF parts, Arkema claims that the new technology has yielded improved Kynar properties such as flexibility and easy cutting, but maintained many of the properties expected from Kynar resins, including barrier properties, and chemical and temperature resistance. In addition to inherent low smoke and flame properties, other features of Kynar foams that make them suitable for use in harsh industrial applications include resistance to most solvents and chemicals; resistance to gamma and UV radiation; easily cut, while mechanically tough; impermeable to fuels; thermal insulating; and service temperatures from -50°C to +155°C.

Sica SpA – Italy info@sica-italy.com www.sica-italy.com

Arkema – France www.arkema.com

Machinery from Sica ▼ ▼

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October 2009 Tube Products International