Toronto-based Integran Technologies Inc. (Integran) today announced further advances in its "structural metal plating-on- polymer" technology (Nanovate NP) for enhancing fuel efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by enabling the cost-effective manufacture of lightweight transportation parts.
Under development for several years, Integran's nanometal-polymer hybrid core technology is protected by a number of patent filings and now with US 8,268,423 which issued on September 18, 2012 disclosing lightweight metal-coated polymer oil pans with high impact resistance.
Figure 1 – Nanovate™ structural plating on a textured polymer core.
Integran's CEO Gino Palumbo stated "our structural plating-on- polymer technology can be used to replace a variety of heavier all-metal components while providing superior wear- and impact-resistance in land, sea and air transportation applications. Further benefits can include thermal management and EMI shielding. Product designers are no longer limited to design restrictions imposed by metal forming or machining processes as they can now use the flexibility of injection molding or additive manufacturing to fabricate strong and durable parts."
Integran Program Manager Dr. Nanda Nagarajan, added "Customers can now also take advantage of Integran's ability to apply strong, highly adherent, nanometals to a broad range of high performance thermoplastics such as Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS), Polyetherimides (PEI), Polyamides (PA) and Polyetheretherketones (PEEK), along with other traditional plate-able polymers"
About Integran Technologies, Inc.:
Integran is a world leader in advanced metallurgical nano-technologies, providing a broad international base of customers with advanced process & product design solutions through R&D, material sales, contract manufacturing and technology licensing. Integran and its predecessor organizations have been at the forefront of metallurgical nano-technology development for over twenty years. Integran has established an international reputation for excellence in materials technology development and commercialization. Integran owns the intellectual property rights for the cost-effective production of metallurgical nano-structures with over 300 patents and patent filings dealing with the structure, composition, processing and application of its revolutionary materials.