Decorative marbling for injection-molded parts made of Ultrason®

• Now possible for the first time: reproducible marbling patterns for unique serial production
• BASF’s polyarylethersulfone offers unlimited color possibilities for household appliances, catering bowls and containers as well as visible parts
• Marbled bowls showcased at Fakuma 2021, Friedrichshafen, Germany

With a patent pending BASF technology it is now possible to produce marbled serial components made of Ultrason® using a standard injection molding process. The coloring technique opens up virtually unlimited possibilities for designers to use BASF's polyarylethersulfone to color household appliances, catering bowls and containers as well as visible components. For the first time, surface effects such as color shades, color streaks and patterns can be reproduced: Injection-molded parts of one series look alike but are not completely identical. The technique has proven to be successful with the two injection-molding grades Ultrason® E (PESU: polyethersulfone) and Ultrason® P (PPSU: polyphenylsulfone) for the production of one-of-a-kind parts, which at the same time benefit from the outstanding properties of Ultrason® in terms of mechanical, thermal and chemical resistance as well as approval for food contact.

The new process, which was developed at BASF's pilot plant for injection molding and extrusion in Ludwigshafen, makes it possible to produce marbled molded parts on conventional injection molding machines more easily and with a greater degree of process reliability than before, using new types of nozzle inserts and a special dosing technique. With its lightly honey-colored tint, Ultrason® granules are suitable for light shades and tints as well as abstract patterns by solid coloring that look like natural materials such as wood or marble. "Marble effects have always been an eye-catcher in the plastics world," says Georg Graessel from global Ultrason® business development at BASF. "Until now, these effects were only possible with complex two-component injection molding and did not guarantee reproducibility. With marbling, we are adding another way of coloring to the already versatile design possibilities of Ultrason®. With appropriate temperature control of the injection molding machine, attractive, high-contrast patterns are possible for our P and E injection molding grades. So far, our customers have been able to mold transparent, translucent, and, of course, solid-colored components from Ultrason®."

Marbled components made of Ultrason® can be used in a variety of ways: in household articles such as bowls, cups, plates, and catering utensils, also for microwave usage. Additionally, marbling effects can be applied to eyeglass frames, handles as well as visible components of electrical and electronic appliances, decorative panels and covers. These applications benefit from the excellent properties of BASF’s polyarylethersulfone: steam resistance up to 180°C, excellent strength and toughness over a wide temperature range, very good resistance to industrial cleaning agents, and repeated sterilization. Ultrason® also has the relevant food approvals for the EU and the USA.

Marbling according to the BASF process is possible on conventional injection molding machines equipped with only one plasticizing unit and an open nozzle. The pre-colored base material and the high-contrast color masterbatch must be fed synchronously to the injection-molding cycle. The patterns in the molded part are then achieved by separating and merging the melt streams. This is done with nozzle inserts, which are manufactured by 3D printing. These inserts offer great design freedom: not only mirror-image patterns can be created but also rotationally symmetrical patterns. This has not been possible with conventional processes to date. Other factors influencing the pattern design are the nozzle design itself, the mold's gating system, the location of the gate, and the flow behavior of the melt during mold filling. In addition to PESU and PPSU, the new BASF technique is also suitable for Ultrason® S and other thermoplastics.

Ultrason® is the trade name for BASF’s product range of polyethersulfone (Ultrason® E), polysulfone (Ultrason® S) and polyphenylsulfone (Ultrason® P). The high-performance material is used to manufacture lightweight components in the electronics, automotive and aerospace industries as well as in water filtration membranes and in parts that come into contact with hot water and food. Because of their extraordinary property profile the Ultrason® grades can substitute thermosets, metals and ceramics in many applications.

For more information: www.ultrason.basf.com

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 billion. More information online: www.plastics.basf.com.

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.

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