Columbine and Eastman Develop Spectar Copolymer for TP Welding
KINGSPORT, Tenn., Jan. 11 - Eastman Chemical Company (NYSE:EMN) and Columbine International, Ltd., Placerville, Calif., today announced a new technology that allows plastic sheet fabricators to obtain clear, strong bonds by welding with a rod of Spectar copolymer. The technology, developed by Columbine, can be used to bond sheet of Spectar copolymer to itself or to other plastic sheet materials.
Extrusion welding of thermoplastics can be compared in many ways to the welding of metals, especially wire feed welding. By extrusion welding with a rod of Spectar copolymer, the joint becomes as strong as or stronger than the parent material, thus producing a homogenous and durable welded joint or seam. Extrusion welding is not gluing, but the actual molecular bonding of two like materials.
"When using the Mini-Extruder extrusion welder from Columbine, a strong bond can be easily and effectively achieved with Eastman's Spectar copolymer," said Greg Yaple, president of Columbine. "It is simple to create bonds because the copolymer processes at a lower temperature, and its high-clarity and chemical resistance provide long-lasting joints."
Extruded rods of Spectar copolymer produce clear, tough joints that are well suited for a wide variety of uses including point of purchase displays, signs, building and construction. This material is especially useful for bonding seams that require clarity and strength.
The primary benefits of welding with rod of Spectar copolymer include:
- No messy or environmentally unsafe glues
- Clear, cosmetically pleasing joints
- Quick fabrication-no dry time required
- Water tight, long-lasting joints
- Diverse fastening method for a variety of applications
- Stronger designs
"Fabricators have tremendous design and fabrication freedom when working with sheet of Spectar copolymer. Its ease of fabrication provides lower cost solutions and more creative designs. The welding technology developed by Columbine gives fabricators yet another process for bonding sheet products," said Rob McLean, Eastman business market manager. Eastman sells Spectar copolymer to independent extruders that produce sheet products, and the sheet products are sold to plastic distributors for distribution to fabricators and end-users. "Point-of-purchase display, store fixture and industrial applications are key growth markets because of the resin's toughness, ease of fabrication and resistance to common cleaners."
Headquartered in Kingsport, Eastman manufactures and markets plastics, chemicals and fibers. Eastman employs approximately 15,000 people in more than 30 countries and had 1998 sales of $4.48 billion.