WCN Spring 2010

Researching for REACH B&B Compounds is carrying out research for the new family of flame retardant eco-compounds (FREC) to pass IEC standard 332.3 categories a, b & c. The aim is to develop new eco-compounds with lower environmental impact, through the use of raw materials that have very low Hcl emissions (less than 12%), together with lower smoke emission, expressed in terms of density (ASTM E 622). The compounds are a step toward the G PVC compound brand, recognised by Italian Centro Informazione PVC and available only to selected companies producing PVC compounds without any hazardous substances classified as SVHC (substances of very high concern) by REACH (registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemical substances). The wide range of these compounds means complete interchangeability with traditional lead compounds, including UL/CSA–VDE and CEI grades (TM3 – YM4 – TI3 – YI7 – YI8) even with a thickness below 0.2mm. Today’s market is demanding these compounds for low voltage cables, data transmission and bus cables, robotics, patch cords and welding cables, especially where oil and gasoline resistance and flame retardancy are required. This result could be achieved, following new research and development resources from ICTP (Istituto Chimica e Tecnologia dei Polimeri) of Naples. The latest developments are a wide range of thermoplastic elastomers PVC + TPU (VIPUR) and PVC + NBR (VIGUM); and 100% polyurethane polyether compounds (AITANE) together with co-polyester elastomers (BILL TREL). B&B Compounds has recently confirmed an agreement with AlphaGary for the exclusive distribution in Italy of Megolon halogen-free, flame-retardant compounds, and with Esseti Plast for tailor-made master batches.

New cones for Syncro F13 CeramTec is offering complete wire drawing cones or large rings with a 483mm diameter. Made from advanced ceramics the cones can be used for wire drawing on the Syncro F13 for significantly greater cost-effectiveness in wire manufacturing. The increased process reliability, extended service life of the machine, and the enhanced quality of the finished wire product – thanks to a gentler finishing process – all make the advanced ceramic material, zirconium oxide, the material of choice. Refitting wire-drawing machines with the cones is simple.

Ceramic wire drawing cones from CeramTec ▲ ▲

In cooperation with customers, technical product managers can optimise the manufacturing process. CeramTec has a test centre for this purpose, which can be used to determine the friction coefficient of drawing tools and wire. It also offers the possibility of working variably with various parameters such as the addition of cooling lubricants, rotation of the tool shaft, wrap angle of the wire on the drawing tool, exchangeability ease of wires and drawing tools, as well as computer-aided analysis of test results. This enables basic research to be carried out in areas of slip and friction. The test centre can also be used to investigate customer-specific problems. CeramTec has established itself as a partner to the wire manufacturing industry; the German company’s ceramic materials are standard in the production of copper and non-ferrous metal wires throughout the world. Continuous, application-oriented development work and process enhancements in the production of advanced ceramic components deliver solutions for ever broader and more demanding ceramic applications. The large ring for wire drawing cones with its extremely reduced price is just another example of what results from the daily work of these technical ceramics experts.

B&B Compounds Srl – Italy Fax : +39 0823 584971

Email : info@bebcompounds.com Website : www.bebcompounds.com

New additions QED has added two new members to the team: Andrew Banham is a mechanical engineering technologist and has been a member of the Quebec Order of Professional Technologists since 1999. Matthew Certosini, a recent graduate from McGill University, has joined as a junior mechanical engineer, and is an IWMA Educational Trust Travel Award winner.

wire Düsseldorf stand: 12A53

wire Düsseldorf stand: 10F72

QED Wire Lines Inc – Canada Fax : +1 460 458 0200 Email : sales@qedwire.com Website : www.qedwire.com

CeramTec AG – Germany Fax : +49 7153 611 673 Website : www.ceramtec.com

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WCN Issue N° 42 www.iwma.org