Materials
- Published: June 30, 2003, By Deborah Donberg, Associate Managing Editor
Substrates, Inks, Adhesives, Polymers
Adhesive Useful for PVC Films
Advanced Polymers International, Syracuse, NY; 315/451-1755; 877/msphere; msphere.com
Gel-Tac 314M transfer-coatable microsphere adhesive is said to be ideal for drum labels, signage, and other PVC applications. Reportedly also offers improved adhesion to HDPE, glass, and painted metal surfaces compared to co.'s 307M adhesive.
Coating Brings Benefits in Silence
Transilwrap Co. Inc., Franklin Pk., IL; 847/678-1800; transilwrap.com
Coating for printable plastics and films acts as a silent or secret adhesive. Gives plastics an ultra-low-tack adhesion capability without any apparent tack to the feel of the plastic, co. reports. Plastic feels smooth to the touch and will adhere to almost any smooth indoor surface. Coating can be applied to most clear and colored plastics and films, including synthetics, polyester, PP, and flexible vinyl. It is applied in roll form, prior to sheeting for offset and screen printing, or prior to slitting for flexo and narrow web printing applications.
Sheet Photopolymer Materials Offered
Econo Products Inc., Rochester, NY; 585/288-7550; econoprod.com
Co. distributes SX and FGX solvent-developed sheet photopolymer materials. SX is a premium photopolymer for most flexo printing from labels to wide web applications. FGX is a high quality, soft-durometer material for corrugated and folding applications. Both are available in all popular gauges and can be produced in sizes to 47 × 80 in.
Elastomers Can Be Tailored to Your Needs
Kraton Polymers, Houston, TX; 800/4kraton; kraton.com
New family of polymers is said to offer an alternative to PVC. High-performance elastomers have a distinctive molecular structure that can be precisely controlled and tailored to perform in specific applications, co. says. Also possess good dielectric properties and are reprocessable.
Synthetic Media Comes in Matte and Gloss
Avery Dennison Corp., Painesville, OH; 440/358-4943; fasson.com
Co. has added SynCarta synthetic media to its Fasson Rapid-Roll product line. These highly engineered BOPP films are available in C1S matte and ultra-high-gloss finishes. Films are said to offer the durability of plastic with the look, feel, and convertability of paper. Co. says products are dimensionally stable for excellent print registraton, adding two-sided glossy surfaced products are suitable for offset, gravure, and flexo printing, while C1S matte coated products are ideal for thermal transfer applications.
Program Helps Prevent Hot Melt Problems
Wisdom Adhesives, Franklin Pk., IL; 847/678-7750; wisdomadhesives.com
A preventive maintenance program for hot melt units is a value-added service program designed to increase hot melt production and elminate downtime. It includes servicing, insuring, picking up, and delivering hot melt machines to an authorized dealer. Program reportedly helps prevent plugged nozzles, poor extrusion rates, burnt-out hoses, and other associated hot melt machine problems.
Color Approved for Food Packaging
Teknor Color Co., Pawtucket, RI; 401/725-8000; teknorcolor.com
Co. formulates Magic Color Concentrates using Variocrom pigments from BASF Corp. Their use in film is one of many applications. Pigments have FDA approval for food-contact uses.
SBC Resin Produces Thin, Strong, Clear Films
Chevron Phillips Chemical Co. LP (CPChem), The Woodlands, TX; 832/813-4100; 800/231-1212; cpchem.com
DK11 is a new grade of K-Resin styrene-butadiene copolymer (SBC) said to provide enhanced thermal stability for a broad processing window to produce thin films with excellent clarity, gloss, and strength. Grade was developed for applications ranging from packaging for medical devices to decorative and shrink-wrap films. It is available in commercial quantities.
Heat-Seal Coating Line Suited for Many Uses
H.B. Fuller, St. Paul, MN; 651/236-5900; hbfuller.com
PHF-0975 low-temperature, activatable hot melt heat-seal coating line contains a wide array of products for specific niche requirements, including lidding, multipack overwraps, and other flexible packaging applications. Said to have the ability to adhere to a wide range of substrates, often including difficult-to-adhere surfaces. Low activation is key for increasing line speeds and efficiencies, says mfr.
