TRANSPARENT PE/PC ALLOY.

A range of transparent aliphatic PE/PC alloys that are also ductile and resistant to chemicals has been introduced by GE Plastics.

Xylex resins can be compounded with the company's existing Visualfx materials to make products that are distinctive without the need for paint or coatings. As a result, manufacturers no longer have to worry about emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and disposal issues, GE says.

Initially, the Xylex series includes five grades, two of which (X8210 and X7110) are high-flow, transparent resins aimed at telecommunications applications, primarily housings for mobile telephones. A third resin, X7300, is earmarked for consumer electronics such as personal computer (PC) monitors and personal digital assistants.

X7200 was synthesized to provide resistance to both ultraviolet (UV) radiation and chemicals, making it suitable for eyewear. Finally, X8300 is an opaque general-purpose grade.

GE is developing other Xylex grades, the W3 series, which will soon be available for sampling. These opaque compounds will provide resistance to weathering, glossy part surfaces and good retention of colour. GE will target applications such as outdoor vehicles, personal watercraft, agricultural machinery and snowmobiles.

GE Plastics says it has actively pursued alternative alloys in other product lines, particularly its modified-polyphenylene ethers (PPEs). In March 2001, for instance, the company introduced a family of PP/PPE blends, Noryl PPX, aimed primarily at automotive applications such as bumper fascia. The introduction of the product was part of what the GE calls the "renaissance" of Noryl technology. GE has introduced 40 new grades over the past 15 months and plans to unveil 20 more during the remainder of 2001.

For further information, contact: Bob Hess, GE Plastics, One Plastics Avenue, Pittsfield, MA 01201, USA; tel: +1-413-448-7594; E-mail: robert.hess@gep.ge.com; Internet: www.geplastics.com