
Lorenz
Lorenz Kunststoff GmbH says it is about to launch a new grade of duroplast, named BMC 0204, at K 2013.
“Our customers are often faced with the problem of a component that has to comply with several different standards and regulations”, said Thomas Lorenz, CEO of Lorenz Kunststofftechnik GmbH. “This necessitates the use of several different types of plastic, which is not only complicated but also expensive.” Developed in the company's own laboratory over a period of two years, the duroplast combines several characteristics in a single material and can be subjected to a broad range of applications.
In its UL 94 certification test, 0204 achieved level V0, despite its thickness of only 0.4 mm. Lorenz Kunststoff claims that this makes it currently the only flame retardant plastic suitable for injection moulding with an oxygen index of 100 percent (a value said to be twice as high as that of other plastics deemed as extremely flame retardant). The duroplast material fulfils a wide range of fire safety standards and has already been awarded several important European certifications. It has been classified as I0 / F0 / M1, the highest level of the French NF F 16-101 standard. In addition to its flame retardant properties, BMC 0204 is also resistant to temperatures as low as -40°C.
It has a flow rate of at least 1000 mm in the flow spiral at 100 Mpa, BMC 0204, making it suitable for production of both large-dimension and fine-wrought components. The low injection pressure required for processing also facilitates insert moulding of sensitive electronic components and sensors. BMC 0204 has a CTI value of 600 volts and a thermal conductivity of 1.35 W/m*K, which may give it potential in the electronics field, particularly in the production of connection boxes, circuit breakers and fuse strips, as well as in domestic appliances. The material is said to be demonstrably free of halogen, chloride, cyanide and bromine, and is suitable for printing or laser marking.
“It is the sum of all these properties that makes BMC 0204 so special,” said Lorenz. “Since it is suitable for use in more applications than other synthetic materials, it can significantly reduce the quantity of different types used in many products.” The group says that the material is not offered as an expensive niche product. BMC 0204 is suitable for use as a standard material for production in high unit numbers, and can be custom configured to the user’s specific production conditions.
Sales manager Peter Ooms will be available at stand C35 in hall 7a for initial queries as well as for specific enquiries.