Dallas-based specialty materials and technology provider Celanese Corp. is unveiling an updated version of its GUR? ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). According to the company, the new technology offers significant improvement in both material performance and processing efficiencies.
When tested in-house against grades in the existing GUR UHMWPE product line, the newest grade exhibited the following characteristics: improved fiber strength and tensile properties for applications such as life protection equipment or high-strength ropes; improved gelation, which is expected to provide fiber and membrane manufacturers with increased throughput and other processing advantages; improved performance — including improved membrane puncture strength — for separators used in lithium-ion batteries; and significantly increased abrasion resistance, which may extend the life of machined parts while maintaining impact strength performance.
Celanese will debut the technology at the K 2013 International Trade Fair for Plastics and Rubber, which will be held October 16-23 in Germany.
