Since SMIPA’s foundation in 1936, numerous materials have been used in the production of plastic items. Production activity started with the THERMALLY HARDENED FENOLIC AND AMIDIC RESINS known as BAQUELITES, MELAMINE, phenolic powder used at the onset in household items and later on in industrial products. During the first few years after the war, the first THERMOPLASTIC MATERIALS such as PST polystyrene (glass and shock resistant) were introduced and converted. From this point on, the thermoplastics sector underwent consistent development and polypropylene (PP) appeared on the market, an Italian product par excellence, for use in household and garden items.
In the 1970s technical materials emerged such as Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) for use in translucent items, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) for panel printing, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymers (SAN) used in the moulding of transparent hoppers and polycarbonate (PC) for use in high resistance parts. Almost simultaneously, if not a little before, high and low density moulding according to target applications (PEHD. PE LD) emerged.
The 1980’s marked the onset and the conversion of other thermoplastic resins such as PC/PABS bonders, the polyimide resins (PA6- PA 66 –PA 12), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). For more specific and unique needs, other additive materials appeared on the market such as those reinforced with fiberglass (EV for mechanical resistance boosting), calcium carbonate (CACO3 for increasing specific weight), and molybdenum bisulphate (MOBs for self lubrication).
Other materials currently processed include fiberglass reinforced and self-extinguishing Polybutylene Terephthalate (PBT), polyacetate resins (POM) used in gears, modified Polyphenylene Oxide (PPO) used for pump bodies, and Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS) used at high temperatures.
The latest amongst these is a new revolutionary additive suitable for the 100% BIODEGRADABLE conversion process of many products over a 9-60 month term. |
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