Owens Corning launches new thermoplastic reinforcement

2 November 2006

Owens Corning has launched MicroMax™, a new chopped strand product.

MicroMax reinforcements are reported to be up to 50% thinner than standard filaments (with diameters of 6 and 7 microns) and can reduce part wall thickness by up to 40% in comparison with parts manufactured with standard glass fibre inputs. Other properties of MicroMax include: 30% higher tensile and flexural strength; lower outgassing; and 35% improvement in weld line strength.

The company believes that the product will aid the miniaturization of electronic components for use in electronic devices such as mobile phones and digital audio players. Resins such as liquid crystal polymers (LCP), polyamide (PA), polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) can be used with MicroMax, enabling moulders to maintain production continuity.