Oct 16 2008
Molders now can cut cycle time for polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) parts up to 30 percent with new super-fast (SF) grades of DuPont™ Crastin® PBT thermoplastic polyester.
In this example comparing glass-reinforced grades, use of DuPont™ Crastin® SF enables a 30 percent drop in cycle time.
Designated Crastin® SF, the new resins come in non-reinforced form and in reinforced versions with 15 or 30 percent glass fiber.
"The shorter molding cycles achieved with Crastin® SF can deliver cost savings ranging up to 20 percent," said Dave Donofrio, global business manager for Crastin® at DuPont Engineering Polymers. "The super-fast molding resins are particularly advantageous in molding thin-wall parts such as connectors and large parts such as structural housings."
The key to the cycle time reductions provided by the new resins is their exceptionally high flow. The high flow of Crastin® SF grades opens the way for major reductions in melt temperature, thus saving precious seconds in the duration of hold pressure and cooling.
In addition to reducing cycle time, the enhanced flow of Crastin® SF resins also can enable the design and production of parts with thinner walls, and can open the way to cost savings through the use of molds with more cavities. Because Crastin® SF requires lower injection pressure, the molder can employ a smaller machine, which costs less to buy and to operate.