Hycolene proves it is ‘up to scratch’ for automotive 'A' class surfaces
A new joint collaboration has been announced between technical compounder, Luxus, and RocTool, the ‘Heat&Cool’ technology specialists.
Luxus’ recycled content Hycolene grade 16818 has been selected as RocTool’s preferred high performance PP resin for use with its rapid inductive heating technology.
This decision followed extensive lab trials of Hycolene versus a standard prime material. These took place at RocTool’s French headquarters last year and subsequently at Luxus’ in-house Technical Centre in March 2016.
RocTool is a pioneer in the very latest in high gloss effects and 3D textures producing a finish that is both premium and unique to satisfy the automotive industry’s latest ‘A’ Class surface trends. It therefore required a PP resin that could offer high scratch performance.
Terry Burton, Technical Manager at Luxus explained: “We found in the lab trials that when RocTool’s induction technology is turned to the higher temperatures it requires; the scratch is far more exaggerated on the resulting moulded part with the standard talc filled material compared to our Hycolene product.”
Materials Engineer at RocTool, Calypso Beloli, commented: “We’re really enthusiastic to obtain this kind of quality surface with PP. Scratch resistance on a moulded part has been a challenge, but with the selection of the right compound together with our induction system technology means that we can develop new markets.”
Burton also added: “We’re really pleased to be a RocTool materials partner. The great appeal of Hycolene is that is allows manufacturers to satisfy environmental goals thanks to its recycled content (up to 60 percent) without sacrificing performance – delivering a lighter, stronger and critically a high scratch-resistant finish.”
Hycolene is going to feature in RocTool’s future marketing to Tier 1 moulders and manufacturers for the first time through specially tailored 3D holographic High Definition Plastics samples later this year.
The two companies have made the announcement ahead of next month’s Plastics Design and Moulding (PDM) exhibition in Telford from 14th-15th June 2016. (Luxus stand, DO10).