General Plastics Demonstrates Foam as an Alternative to Wood
Will introduce two new composite core sample kits, demonstrate foams’ value as superior alternative material
TACOMA, Wash., January 21, 2013 – General Plastics Manufacturing Company will participate in COMPOSITES 2013 January 29-31 in Orlando, Florida – the largest event for composites professionals in North America. Produced by the American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA), the convention and exhibition is expected to attract attendees representing more than 650 companies and 40 countries.
General Plastics will spotlight its rigid polyurethane composite core foams and introduce two new composite core sample kits at Booth #1110 in the Orange County Convention Center.
The company will feature the following flame-retardant, rigid closed-cell foams:
LAST-A-FOAM® FR-6700 Aerospace-Grade Series – This flame-retardant rigid foam for aircraft composite core withstands process temperatures up to 250ºF. It is an excellent choice for models and design prototypes, vacuum-form dies and mold patterns, and honeycomb edge closeout for aircraft interior sandwich panels.
LAST-A-FOAM® FR-3700 Precision-Core Series – Tougher and less friable than the FR-6700, this flame-retardant, aerospace-grade (BMS 8-133-qualified) foam enables cutting of crisper edges. This quality makes it well-suited to machining complex shapes for composite cores.
LAST-A-FOAM® FR-4300 Thermoformable Board Series – This flame-retardant foam series is ideal for composite panel cores and other structures where compound-curved surfaces or other details can be made with low-cost heat-forming methods.
Driving expanded interest in alternative materials
“We’re experiencing increasing demand for our low-weight, high-strength polyurethane foams to replace traditional core materials, such as thermoplastic foam, honeycomb and wood,” noted General Plastics President Bruce Lind.
The company’s composite core materials have been used for years in the aerospace and automotive industries in place of aluminum, as well as for sports equipment, such as hockey blades and skateboards. In the marine industry, General Plastics composite core foams provide a lightweight, non-decaying alternative to wood that supports fiberglass laminating production processes.
“After 60 years of experience in the composites industry, we clearly understand the exacting standards of OEMs and the imperative of rigorous quality assurance in their choice of composite core materials,” said Lind. “We remain committed to supplying products that consistently conform to customers’ specifications at delivery – and over time. General Plastics customers also know they can depend on us for fast turnaround and scalability to meet the demands of OEM production.”
General Plastics introduces new composite core sample kits
Lind also announced the debut of two new sample kits at ACMA to give composites professionals in attendance a true feel for its foam materials. Sample kits are now available for the LAST-A-FOAM® FR-6700 Aerospace-Grade Series and LAST-A-FOAM® FR-4300 Thermoformable Board Series. Visitors to the General Plastics booth will have the opportunity to examine these materials firsthand and request shipment of sample kits for ready reference at their facilities.
“We are always happy to supply our current and prospective customers with a variety of product samples, and familiarize them with each foam’s properties and uncompromising quality,” Lind added. “We want to ensure that customers have consistently reliable materials that are well-suited to their specific needs and applications.”
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