August - September 2020
Why we shouldn't O dismiss plastic alternatives Hero plastics’ performance during Covid-19 pandemic points to expanding industrial safety and hygiene uses
30
infrastructurenews.co.nz
ne of the major groups of materials protecting medical and front-line workers during the Covid-19 pandemic, engineering plastics, is also making headway as an alternative to metals in hygiene and safety-conscious industrial markets, including machinery componentry, safety, automation and industry 4.0 and process applications. Most of the PPE equipment used in the masks, goggles, gloves, gowns and coveralls involved in the Covid-19 pandemic are made of non-woven polymer polypropylene, while other translucent shields between customers and retail staff, for example, are made from polycarbonates such as Wearguard™, which are not only very tough, but also very easy to wash down and resistant to chemicals involved. “It is in fact quite possible to introduce anti-viral and anti-bacterial qualities into the formulation used to manufacture different engineering thermoplastics families – while other plastics groups are suitable in their natural or food grade state to substitute hygienically and cost efficiently for metals used in production process and Industry 4.0 higher speed automation,” says engineering plastics authority Mr Laurie Green. Custom manufactured plastics – sometimes with added hygienic, mechanical and lubrication qualities – can include Wearlon™ PTFE (Polytetrafluorethylene) and Wearex™ UHMWPE (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene). Standard product groups, including Wearlon™ Nylon, Wearace™ Acetal and Wearthane™ polyeurethane can not only be modified, but are often suitable in their
