Ashland Specialty Chemical Co, Plasticolors Inc, and Union Carbide Corp have jointly developed a new, ultraviolet-stable, pigmentable formula for structural, exterior truckbox applications that eliminates the need for paint.
This sheet-molding-compound (SMC) technology, called Ekadure 2001 resin, is expected to become commercially available in January 2001 through Ashland. The new formula meets original-equipment manufacturers' requirements for structural truckbox applications without paint. It also could be used for other exterior applications.
Ekadure 2001 resin is formulated into SMC and compression-molded for any glass-reinforced, outside applications without paint, including truckbox, truck-protective rails, agricultural, and commercial. The three companies have been working jointly on this development for more than four years.
For more details, contact Ashland, 5200 Blazer Parkway, Dublin OH 43017.