TPi October 2009

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October 2009 Tube Products International 57
TubeExtruded
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.
Arkema – France
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.
Sica SpA – Italy
Machinery from Sica ▼ ▼