A cut above the rest – Diamond wire technology made with BASF’s Elastollan® TPU protective covering
- Protective coverings made with Elastollan® more sustainable owing to their durability against wear & tear, abrasion, and frictional heat
- With a good balance of flexibility and rigidity, Elastollan helps hold in place segments affixed with diamond pieces, spread evenly over the wire
Mumbai, India – October 8, 2021 – BASF’s Elastollan® thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is now used as a more durable protective covering in diamond wire technology to cut hard materials such as granite and marble. Segments affixed with diamond pieces for heavy-duty sawing, and spread evenly over the wire, are also kept in place owing to Elastollan‘s flexibility and rigidity. Elastollan, which helps extend the shelf life of the protective covering in diamond wire technology, is consequently a more sustainable option.
“Demand for the diamond wire technology is rising due to its ability to offer enhanced surface finish and high precision. As the sawing wire speed is key in the precise and efficient cutting of hard materials, the covering of the wire and wire spring is a critical part of the diamond wire technology,” said Mr. Nirav Shah, Manager, Sales, Vimal Intertrade Pvt. Ltd, BASF’s channel partner for the single and multiwire diamond cutting tools market. “Unlike conventional materials, Elastollan provides a protective layer that is more durable against the intense heat generated by the high-speed cutting motion. Elastollan, applied by injection molding, is particularly effective in keeping the segments in place, by effectively filling in the gap between the core wire surface and the inner diameter of the segments. Additionally, the specialized Elastollan grade offers an optimum balance between mechanical and hydrolysis resistance, which is particularly beneficial where water jets are used to reduce frictional heat or wash away debris from sawing.”
The diamond wire technology runs at high speeds and tension to cut hard materials with precision and minimal noise. The protective covering protects the wire between the segments from wear and tear caused by abrasion and heat. It also holds the segments firmly in place.
“The global diamond tools industry is a niche but growing market, owing to the precision of the technology, which enables cutting of hard materials with minimal wastage and maximum yield. As such, the demand for its use is growing in construction, photovoltaic, semiconductor industries,” said Marilyn Lye, Vice President, Business Management Industrial, Performance Materials Asia Pacific, BASF. “We are excited to enable the development of the diamond wire technology with our Elastollan protective covering, as well as contribute to the sustainable growth of the dynamic industries, such as the renewable energy photovoltaic industry.”
Elastollan is already used in other heavy-duty applications such as elevator wires and electric vehicle charging cables. Owing to its outstanding abrasion resistance, coupled with excellent mechanical strength and flexibility, as well as its strong chemical resistance, Elastollan helps extend the life of charging cables and ensures a stable, safe power flow in electric vehicles.
The global Diamond Wire market is valued at 1.3 billion USD in 2020 is expected to reach 14 billion USD by the end of 2026, growing at a CAGR of 40.0% during 2021-2026. (Source: MarketWatch)
This diamond wire cutting technology is well demanded in the photovoltaic and semiconductor industries. In the photovoltaic industry, the diamond wire technology can reduce cutting time by up to 50%, lowering manufacturing costs. In the semiconductor industry, the diamond wire technology - which can cut more accurately than other traditional methods - enables thinner wafers.
Diamond wire technology is available as single or multi-wire, depending on the cutting task required. Machines with multi-wires can contain up to 90 sets of wires in one run.
About BASF’s Performance Materials division
BASF’s Performance Materials division encompasses the entire materials’ know-how of BASF regarding innovative, customized plastics under one roof. Globally active in four major industry sectors – transportation, construction, industrial applications and consumer goods – the division has a strong portfolio of products and services combined with deep understanding of application-oriented system solutions. Key drivers of profitability and growth are our close collaboration with customers and a clear focus on solutions. Strong capabilities in R&D provide the basis to develop innovative products and applications. In 2020, the Performance Materials division achieved global sales of €5.63 bn. More information online: www.plastics.basf.com.
About BASF
About BASF At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. More than 110,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio is organized into six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €59 billion in 2020. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the U.S. Further information at www.basf.com.
