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Materials Innovations from K 2007

The K Fair is the biggest plastics show in the world. For K 2007, more than 3,100 exhibitors filled 19 halls in the Messe Center in Düsseldorf, Germany. Contributing Editor Doug Smock has been to all K Fairs except one since 1986. Read through his coverage of this year's fair for the scoop on materials innovations straight from the show floor.

Making It Faster and, of Course, Better
No matter what area of materials processing is involved, users look for a technology solution that meets a specification but more and more want something that provides an edge in their business. Full Story
2008-08-08 00:00:00
Taking Advantage of MIM
Metal-injection molding (MIM) can provide advantages that range from material and weight savings, improved surface finish, greater strength and hardness or elimination of secondary operations, depending on the technology. Full Story
2008-08-08 00:00:00
New Molding Systems Expand Options
There's an explosion in new materials and processing systems that expand the capability of engineers to design industrial products for demanding new applications. Full Story
2008-08-08 00:00:00
Prefabricated Architecture: Engineering the Modern Home
An exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art shows how prefab houses increasingly make use of design and manufacturing technologies from the industrial world. Full Story
2008-08-05 13:46:03
Plastic Breakthroughs Emerge for K 2007
New design opportunities will be the focus of innovative plastic compounds introduced at K 2007. These include biobased materials, hybrid structures and fast-flow plastics. Full Story
2007-07-26 10:32:00

K 2007- SABIC Goes for Solar Power
One of the best stories at K 2007 is the effort under way at SABIC Innovative Plastics to develop new technologies that reduce use of oil and natural gas. Yes, that’s the Saudi Arabian Basic Ind... View Blog Post
2007-10-24 06:56:39
K 2007: Clariant Offers FR-Compliant Color
One of the big trends at K 2007 is the availability of new compounds that deal with tightening regulations on chemicals used to make plastics flame retardant, particularly for consumer electronics ... View Blog Post
2007-10-18 07:16:27
K 2007: DuPont Expands BioPlastic Grade Slate
DuPont this morning announced an expanded slate of renewably sourced polymers that will contribute to the company’s goal of doubling revenues from sustainable resources to at least $8 billion by ... View Blog Post
2007-10-18 07:03:39
K 2007: DuPont Introduces Nano Hybrid
A metal/polymer hybrid featuring nanotechnology aimed at extremely lightweight components was introduced at K 2007 today by DuPont Engineering Polymers and partners Morph Technologies of Toronto, C... View Blog Post
2007-10-18 06:46:37
Solar Impulse Advances Composites for Aircraft
A Swiss aircraft project will advance composites technology for the aircraft industry by a factor of two to three, says Andre Borschberg, CEO of a company called Solar Impulse, which will launch it... View Blog Post
2007-10-24 06:35:51
K 2007- New Foam Developed for Dreamliner
A brand new lightweight material for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner was announced this morning at K 2007, the giant plastics fair in Düsseldorf. BASF will produce a new ultra light foam for the interio... View Blog Post
2007-10-24 07:16:00
K 2007: Dow, GLS Combine on Copolymer
A new elastomer technology announced at K 2007 in Düsseldorf will give design engineers new options, particularly for overmolding and applications such as gaskets with demanding compression-set re... View Blog Post
2007-10-26 08:39:32
K 2007: New Hybrid for Mechatronics
New plastics/metal hybrids introduced at K 2007 by A. Schulman eliminate soldering for electronic parts and also create shielded housings. “Conductor paths and contact points for connectors and c... View Blog Post
2007-10-26 09:04:44
K 2007: Sweet New Deal for Polyethylene
For many years, the United States enjoyed a cost advantage for olefinic plastics because of lower prices for natural gas used to make feedstocks. It looks now like Brazil may become the country wit... View Blog Post
2007-10-26 09:28:25
K 2007: Eastman Breaks Ground on Copolyester
Eastman Chemical is introducing at K 2007 a new material it describes as the most important plastic resin developed in many years. Tritan copolyester uses a new monomer (not identified) to provide ... View Blog Post
2007-10-27 04:59:11
K 2007: Goodyear Develops Tire With Bioplastic
Environmental themes have been strong at the K Fairs for at least 15 years. This year new bioplastics moved front and center. One of the most interesting new products comes from Novamont, which is ... View Blog Post
2007-10-28 06:07:18
K 2007: RTP Shows Carbon Nanotube Compounds
RTP Co. is introducing carbon nanotube compounds (CNT) in several different resin systems for improved electrical performance. In situations where engineers typically used carbon fiber reinforcemen... View Blog Post
2007-10-28 06:26:20
K 2007: A Yankee Scribbler’s Perspective
The K Fair is the biggest plastics show in the world. More than 3,100 exhibitors fill 19 halls in the Messe Center in Düsseldorf, Germany. It’s been held every three years since the first exhib... View Blog Post
2007-10-28 07:17:44
New Report on U.S. Bridges Released as I-35 Bridge Collapse Anniversary Approaches
Nearly one year to the date of last year’s I-35 Bridge Collapse in Minneapolis, a report released yesterday says at least one in four U.S. bridges needs repairs and at least $140 billion is neede... View Blog Post
2008-07-29 09:37:08

Taking Advantage of MIM
Metal-injection molding (MIM) can provide advantages that range from material and weight savings, improved surface finish, greater strength and hardness or elimination of secondary operations, depending on the technology. Full Review
2008-08-08 00:00:00

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