Plastics & Rubber World - July/August 2019 - 36

case study

Fill in the
blank
Luxus details how new glass-filled recycled
PP products are helping the company to
exceed client expectations

Meter reading at a boundary box

lastics manufacturers are constantly
searching for new, sustainable material solutions which can exceed
current quality, performance and cost-efficiency goals.
Lincolnshire-based technical compounder Luxus has responded by engineering a range of 15-40% glass-filled
recycled content polymers. Glass fibres
are increasingly preferred as they help to
achieve a stiffer, high-tensile material, in
comparison to unfilled polymers.
In applications where a part needs to
deliver improved strength and rigidity,
these materials offer superior dimensional stability in combination with good
chemical resistance.
However, extruding with glass fibres
presents a challenge, as the length of the
fibres means they are highly abrasive. Luxus has overcome this issue by investing in
new machinery, including wear-resistant
conveying systems, ceramic-coated dies
and special material lines. These and other
additions ensure the polymer's mechanical
properties can remain consistent.
To satisfying customer specifications,
the company now offers a series of filler
combinations with glass fibre in a variety
of percentage levels, depending on the
required level of compression strength,
stiffness or wear resistance.
Although originally developed for sustainable, non-safety critical automotive
applications, glass-filled polymers are increasingly being used in many varied applications, most recently for an innovative
stackable trolley system.

container trolley assists with ease of
movement

WWW.PRW.COM | july/august 2019

Making light work of recycling

The products consist of a metal and plas-

tic trolley with three plastic containers.
These stack neatly to create a single, manoeuvrable unit. The stackable trolley system can be easily moved, while offering
better separation of content.
The trolley system needs to be tough
and durable to support a long service life.
Further, it has to be able to carry heavy
loads, as the total carrying capacity is
about 160 litres.
Technicians at Luxus worked closely
with the manufacturer to develop a glassfilled polymer which could deliver on the
durability required for regular household
use. They also had to be light, so the containers did not unnecessarily add to the
total loaded weight.
This is just one example where latest-generation, enviro-friendly materials
have been used to deliver extra strength
and durability. Another growth market
that requires similar qualities is the below-ground boundary box used to house
domestic water meters.

Boxing clever - Below-ground
Boundary Boxes

Luxus was asked to partner with a plastics
moulder to help develop replacement materials for its customer, a manufacturer of
below-ground boundary box systems. The
boundary boxes are usually buried in pavements and walkways to support connections
between the utility supply and property.
The product consists of a self-contained telescopic plastic chamber system
housing the utility connection in an easily-accessible and safe environment. This
allows the homeowner or meter reader
quick and easy access to read the meter
or shut off the service.

http://WWW.PRW.COM

Plastics & Rubber World - July/August 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Plastics & Rubber World - July/August 2019