Masterbatch used in long fibre compounds.(MATERIALS)

RTP Co, USA, has developed long-cut additives for engineered long fibre thermoplastic (LFT) compounds. The long-cut masterbatches are available as cube blends with the company's line of LFT products.

Further, separation during handling is minimized because of similar pellet geometry allowing customers to receive superior, economic LFTs, the company says.

Business Manager of Structural Materials at RTP Co, Eric Lee, says "We are in a unique supply situation because of our ability to formulate and produce long-cut colour and additive packages for our LFT business. By applying our compounding competencies to long-cut additives for LFTs, we are able to create robust LFT solutions and minimize lead times for our customers."

According to the company, traditional LFT suppliers are restricted in how they deliver LFT products containing additives. However, using RTP Co's masterbatch enables manufacturers a number of additional choices. For instance, the company can provide additives in long-cut masterbatch pellets for dry blending or additives in pre-compounded LFT pellets.

RTP Co's Lead Development Engineer for LFCs, Karl Hoppe, adds "Combining other technologies like custom colours, UV [ultraviolet] stabilization, wear resistance, or static dissipation with long fibre compounds is an underutilized advantage in the industry today. With our long-cut additives, customers can now incorporate these technologies at a lower cost compared to traditional LFT compounds."

In addition to the new masterbatch LFT compounds, RTP Company has developed LFTs to complement its thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs). The LFTs provide an improved bonding substrate for overmolding various TPE compounds in consumer good applications such as power tools and sporting goods.

Metal replacement is the most common use for LFTs because of their excellent mechanical properties and high strength-to-weight ratios.

For further information, contact: RTP Co, 580 East Front Street, Winona, MN 55987, USA; tel: +1-507-454-6900; fax: +1-507-454-2089; Internet: www.rtpcompany.com