Material Thoughts: Additive for PC/ABS, pipe liner technology, Teijin’s film ops

A small amount of Durastrength 410 impact modifier incorporated into select PC formulations improves the impact and flow behavior, enabling easier processing and more durable end use properties in the resulting injection molded or extruded product, claims Arkema. Processors can also use it to help them to incorporate more recyclate in their formulations without sacrificing mechanical performance.

Plastics and chemicals supplier Evonik has worked with one of its customers, Swagelining Ltd., on a new pipe liner technology that the companies estimate can lead to up to 50% cost savings in use on deep-sea pipelines for oil production. Evonik is based in Essen, Germany, and Swagelining hails from Glasgow, Scotland. The companies do say that their development is "still in its infancy" but predict its potential is huge for this application.

How is it new? Instead of the corrosion resistant alloy pipes currently used for many offshore oil production flow lines, the two companies are developing a combination system reliant on carbon steel and the custom-tailored Vestamid brand polyamide 12 from Evonik. Swagelining specializes in control and prevention of internal corrosion in pipelines and risers using an integrated lining system. The process of lining the offshore oil flow lines is based on the proven technology used to line polyethylene pipes for their use in water-injection lines.

Compared to the corrosion-resistant alloy pipes currently used for hydrocarbon transportation, carbon steel pipes are less costly and more readily available, but they also are more susceptible to corrosion. PA12 liners protect the carbon steel against internal corrosion and also help make it the lower weight and price solution.

In Japan, meanwhile, Teijin Ltd. (Tokyo) announced today that the Utsunomiya facility of Teijin DuPont Films Ltd., its PET films processing division, has partially reopened. Extrusion there had been suspended following the earthquake in Japan on March 11. Operations are expected to return to full scale in mid-June.

Other Teijin Group facilities in Japan continue to operate on a normal basis. The Ibaraki facility of Teijin DuPont Films Ltd., where production of PET film production also had been suspended, resumed operations on March 25 and is now operating at full scale.