The Material Sciences Corporation (2200 East Pratt Boulevard, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007, USA) has reported a “breakthrough” for an innovative polymer processing technology. The “S3P” (solid state shear pulverisation) process is said to offer completely new property profiles for conventional polymers, as well as blend possibilities for plastics that were previously incompatible.

In a continuous process, the polymers are not melted but subjected to an extremely high shear and corresponding pressure, which is said to bring about specific physical and chemical changes in the polymer structure that are otherwise unattainable. According to the company´s report, molecule bonds break open and create new possibilities for polymeric reaction, which radically change the properties of the substances or allow the formulation of new blends. Examples given by Material Sciences include, for example, the setting of the molecular weight distribution in film applications, the specific formulation of elastomeric materials in the sealants segment, and blends of PC/PS, PET/PP and PP/PS.

According to Gerald G. Nadig, President and CEO of Material Sciences, the process has been developed to market maturity over the last three years in conjunction with the Northwestern University and the Berstoff Corporation. Apart from areas of application in the technical segment, the process would also appear to be interesting for material recycling.

Material Sciences was established in 1971 and describes itself as a technology-oriented company for the manufacture of coated industrial materials. The company, which is divided into four business groups, namely Galvanising, Laminates & Composites, Specialty Films and Coil Coating, has 11 production sites in the United States and Europe. Most recently, Material Sciences posted sales of USD 320m.