Ticona launches first LCP designed for extrusion and thermoforming

Ticona, the engineering polymers business of Celanese Corporation, launched a new member to its family of inherently flame resistant liquid crystal polymers (LCP): Vectra® TREX™ LCP is designed for thermal forming processes and offers all the properties this high-performance polymer is known for - high dimensional stability, excellent high-temperature performance and chemical resistance. "With high melt viscosity and melt strength, this new LCP is ideally suited for extrusion and thermoforming processes," said Mr. Edward Hallahan, marketing manager, high performance polymers. Initially, Ticona is offering a 40% mineral filled grade, Vectra TREX 541, that provides impact and notched impact strengths that are significantly higher than those of other mineral-filled grades. Then, Ticona developed Vectra TREX 541 for use by customers who extrude sheets and films that can be thermoformed to finished components. It is ideal for applications in several industries such as medical for use in sterilisable trays and equipment; aerospace to meet the requirements for use in aircraft interior applications; semiconductor to provide high stiffness and a low coefficient of thermal expansion for use in chip carriers; and also for the kitchenware and food industries. www.ticona.comNike Ambassador 10