Düsseldorf and Meerbusch/Germany, October 2024 – Lubmer UHMW-PE grades from Mitsui Chemicals offer high-performance solutions where applications for engineering plastics place increased demands on sliding, abrasion and wear behaviour. In many cases, these materials, which are suitable for both injection moulding and extrusion, can replace the previous standard solution PTFE, which will no longer be produced in Europe in the future, if its high heat resistance is not required. In addition to their excellent tribological properties, they are characterised by good chemical resistance, low density, very low water absorption and high flexibility and impact strength at low temperatures. Another advantage is the low noise development during sliding movements. Dreyplas, Meerbusch, is the distributor for Lubmer materials in the DACH region.

The Lubmer granulate range includes the highly abrasion-resistant types L3000, L4000 and L5000, which differ in terms of their molecular weight. In addition, the special grade L5220, which contains a low oil content, offers self-lubricating properties. Lubmer TM-80B is a weather-resistant grade that was specially developed for glass running channels (GRC) in motor vehicles. These granules are the only UHMW-PE products in the world that are suitable for traditional thermoplastic processing methods. They allow the use of hot runner technology and tunnel sprue systems for injection moulding technical parts, and they are also suitable for the extrusion of sheets, profiles and hoses. In both cases, their opaque, light inherent colour facilitates colouring with masterbatches.

Unlike the granules suitable for direct processing, Lubmer LY1040 is a masterbatch based on the standard grades that is compatible with most engineering plastics and can replace PTFE as an additive. As a PFAS-free engineering plastic modifier, it exhibits better sliding properties than PTFE or molybdenum disulphide even at low addition levels of 3 % to 5 %. It can also significantly improve the wear resistance of PA6 and many other materials without affecting the substrate properties. Typical applications include bearings and gear parts for electrical equipment and automotive interior parts as well as mechanical components for lifts and escalators.

Mitsui Chemical has developed the PA Lubmer alloys LS4140 and LS4120 for applications that require increased mechanical strength. The PA masterbatch LY4100, which can be added during extrusion or injection moulding without compounding, rounds off the portfolio.

At their end of life, all Lubmer product types can be returned to the PE recycling loop thanks to their thermoplastic processability. Another plus in terms of sustainability is the fact that injection moulding produces little to no waste, unlike the machining of conventional UHMW-PE products. And due to its density, which is half that of PTFE, LUBMER has proven to be advantageous for use in lightweight components with increased durability.

Together with customers, Dreyplas and Mitsui Chemicals Europe develop solutions for the substitution of PTFE as well as special grades with application-specific properties that go beyond those of the standard grades available.

Details of Mitsui Chemical's UHMWPE and PFAS regulations can be found at https://jp.mitsuichemicals.com/en/special/uhmw-pe/index.html and https://jp.mitsuichemicals.com/en/special/uhmw-pe/pfas_regulations/ .

Mitsui Chemicals Europe GmbH is the European subsidiary of the Mitsui Chemicals Group, which is a Japanese, global operating chemical manufacturer and supplier of value added specialty chemicals& plastics. Since mor than 100 years, Mitsui provide products and services to enrich people's activities in a wide range of fields such as cars, electronics/information, health/medical care, packaging, agriculture, construction/materials, environment/energy.

DREYPLAS GmbH, founded in 2010, is a distributor with its registered office in Meerbusch, Germany. Its portfolio covers high-performance additives and polymers as well as adhesive raw materials, mainly from major Asian manufacturers, and focuses on technically high-quality alternatives to established products. Its customers are polymer manufacturers, compounders, coating producers and plastics processors in Europe.

Further information:

MITSUI CHEMICALS EUROPE GmbH, Oststrasse 34, D-40211 Düsseldorf
Claus Hartmann, Technical Sales Manager EMEA
Tel. +49-151 2219 8806, claus.hartmann(at)mcie.de

DREYPLAS GmbH,Meerbuscher Str. 64-78 Haus 6A, D-40670 Meerbusch
Norbert Hodrius, Technical Marketing Director
Tel. +49-2159-815 31-11, hodrius(at)dreyplas.com

Editorial contact and voucher copies:

Dr. Jörg Wolters, Konsens PR GmbH & Co. KG, Hans-Böckler-Str. 20, D-63811 Stockstadt, Germany
Tel: +49 (0) 60 27/99005-13, Email: joerg.wolters(at)konsens.de