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STRATOR® |
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 is a new, innovative
line of thermoplastics, that achieves extremely high mecha- nical and
thermal properties, in combination with easy processing and fast cycle
times. |
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| Compared to high
temperature polymers such as PEEK, PPS or PPA, STRATOR®
achieves higher mechanical performance, particularly in the range of
80-180 °C. On top this, STRATOR® does not suffer
from the problems that beset the traditional high temperature plastics,
such as high raw material costs, high processing costs, mould
temperatures far in excess of 130 °C and a narrow processing window. |
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| The high mechanical
performance is achieved through a glassfibre network that is formed
during injection moulding. This glass fibre network ensures an optimal
transfer of forces from the polymer matrix the reinforcing fibres,
similar to long fibre reinforced thermoplastics. |
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| Key
advantages of the STRATOR® fibre structure |
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 high strength, particularly at high
temperatures
high
stiffness and only limited loss of stiffness over temperature
excellent
resistance to long term loades and highly fatigue resistant
isotropic
mechanical properties and isotropic shrinkage
high
shear strength and high burst pressure
excellent
surface finish |
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| Metal
substitution with STRATOR® |
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| Many components that
are currently manufactured in metal can be produced at lower cost and
lower weight in high strength plastics. Compared to metals, plastics
offer a number of significant advantages: |
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faster production cycles
lower
investment in equipment and tooling
elimination
of finishing operation such as machining or painting
no
corrosion problems |
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| Comparison
of mechanical properties |
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| In comparison to die
cast metal alloys, STRATOR® has similar mechanical
performance over a temperature range from -30 to +200 °C. STRATOR®
has similar load bearing capabilities as magnesium and zinc alloys, and
even approaches the performance of die-cast aluminium up to 180 °C. The
stiffness of metals as such is superior; however STRATOR®
affords greater design freedom, allowing parts to reach similar
stiffness through strategic placement of thin-walled ribs. |
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| Creep
resistance |
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| STRATOR®
has better high temperature creep resistance than many metal alloys,
like for instance Zamac 3 or Magnesium AZ91D. Special creep resistant
alloys like Magnesium AE42 or Aluminium A380 do resist somewhat higher
creep loads. Compared to metals, STRATOR® can
absorb higher creep strains befor creep rupture occurs. For most metals
a creep strain of 0.1% is considered as the limit, whereas STRATOR®
can absorb around 0.8 - 1.0 % overall strain. |
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| Summary |
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| In many cases, STRATOR®
provides a cost-effective alternative to die-cast metals as well as
compounds based on expensive base-polymers such as PEEK, PPS or PPA. |
