Page 44 - Plastics News November 2022

TECHNOLOGY

Huntsman Develops Breakthrough Bio-based Polyurethane System

• In developing the Acoustiflex
VEF BIO system, Huntsman has
continued its work in the devel-
opment of zero-amine, zero-
plasticizer, and extremely low
aldehyde-emitting PU foams.
As a result, the system is ranked
low in emissions and odor.
• The Acoustiflex VEF BIO sys-
tem remains lightweight.
• Huntsman’s automotive team
has ensured there are no as-
sociated processing disadvan-
isco-elastic foam containing up tics required by makers of parts or tages. The Acoustiflex VEF
Vto 20% bio-based content low- automotive OEMs, said Huntsman. BIO system can still be used
ers automotive carbon footprint Irina Bolshakova, Global Market- to quickly create components
without sacrificing performance. ing Lead for Automotive Polyure- that have complex geometric
Huntsman has launched Acoustiflex thanes at Huntsman, explains more: shapes and sharp angles, with
VEF BIO — a visco-elastic foam con- “Previously, there was a frustra- high productivity rates and de-
taining up to 20% bio-based content tion that incorporating bio-based mold times as low as 80 sec-
derived from vegetable oils for mold- content into a polyurethane (PU) onds, depending on part design.
ed acoustic applications in the auto- foam system would have a detri- “Polyurethanes are very hard to beat
motive industry. This new solution mental impact on performance, when it comes to pure acoustic per-
can lower the carbon footprint of specifically on emission and odor formance,” continued Irina. “They are
automotive carpet back-foaming by levels. The development of our incredibly effective at muffling sound,
up to 25% compared with existing Acoustiflex VEF BIO system proves reducing vibrations, and dampening
Huntsman systems for this applica- that doesn’t need to be the case.” down any harshness caused by the
tion. The technology can also be used To wit: movement of a vehicle. Our Acous-
for dash and wheel arch insulation. tiflex VEF BIO system takes that to
• Acoustic performance analy- the next level. Incorporating bio-
The Acoustiflex VEF BIO system sis experiments show that
addresses rising demand for mate- Huntsman’s original VEF sys- based content into the mix to deliver
rial technologies that can help auto- tems can outclass standard a lower carbon acoustic solution,
motive manufacturers lower their high-resilient (HR) foams at that does not compromise emission
carbon footprint without sacrificing lower frequencies (<500 Hz). or odor requirements, is far better
performance. The bio-based con- Acoustiflex VEF BIO system for vehicle brands and their partners
tent in its Acoustiflex VEF BIO sys- achieves the same magnitude and customers – but also the planet.”
tem has zero impact on any of the of sound-reducing capability.
acoustic or mechanical characteris-

Crosshead Die Features Single-Point Concentricity Adjustment

Guill Tool & Engineering has in- sion of concentricity reaches 0.008 walled jacketing and precision
troduced an extrusion crosshead in or finer/revolution. This single- ID/OD tubing. One adjustment
that uses micro-fine single-point point concentricity adjustment is bolt controls 360° of adjustment.
adjustment screws for precise con- reportedly a unique Guill inno-
centricity adjustment. The preci- vation for the extrusion of thin-

44 PLASTICS NEWS November 2022