Sequel E3000 saves cost and weight by replacing metal stampings in cab of Wolverine ATV
Auburn Hills, Michigan, June 16, 2008 – Sequel® E3000 engineered polyolefin, a thermoforming grade produced by LyondellBasell Industries, has successfully replaced stamped metal in the cab of the Wolverine All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV). The Wolverine is a tracked, amphibious vehicle designed for task and terrain versatility in challenging industrial and military environments. A fully enclosed cab protects the operator, passengers, and sensitive equipment from the extremes of temperature and weather. The vehicle is built by a business unit of sheet-metal fabricator Dumur Industries in White City, Saskatchewan, Canada. When Dumur Industries decided to enlarge the cab on the latest models, they took advantage of the opportunity to switch from painted metal to thermoformed plastic, which reduced both the cost and weight of the cab’s components. Pre-colored plastic would also eliminate the need for painting and the associated emissions of VOCs (volatile organic compounds), reducing both manufacturing and maintenance costs. Sequel®E3000 engineered polyolefin reduces cost and weight The excellent balance of properties provided by Sequel E3000 polyolefin addressed the requirements of the new cab components: a low coefficient of linear thermal expansion (CLTE) for dimensional stability, excellent impact resistance, low-temperature ductility, colorability, and integral UV resistance. Sheet for the new cab components is extruded in color by Orion Plastics, Inc. in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Low-temperature ductility eliminates cracking The shrinkage performance of the Sequel compound is similar to that of ABS, but the engineered polyolefin offers superior dimensional stability, as well as better resistance to impact and cracking, particularly at low temperatures. Sequel E3000 polyolefin is also inherently weatherable, eliminating the need for the ASA cap layer required by ABS sheet for UV protection. Sequel E3000 engineered polyolefin exhibits ductility at temperatures as low as −30 °C. The material can be easily processed in color, or the parts can be painted using conventional methods. Material for the Wolverine cab is delivered as an uncolored natural. Orion Plastics adds pigment during the extrusion process to produce sheetstock in a color-matched orange. First industrial exterior presents attractive, durable appearance The complete cab consists of seven separate components with a total weight of approximately 180 pounds. The parts are formed with a “light haircell” grain, which minimizes the appearance of surface scuffing. The color and UV resistance permeate the sheet, so any visible edges and exposed reverse surfaces have the same look and durability as the exterior. Temperature control is key to successful forming Designed for low-volume production, the tooling had been done in wood. Acrylon was able to complete some unfinished tools, taking the opportunity to consolidate parts and to reduce the final component count from ten to seven. “Sequel E3000 engineered polyolefin was a perfect fit for this program,” said Greg Smith, Sales Manager of the Specialty Business unit in LyondellBasell Advanced Polyolefins, “because it provided durability in a demanding environment, while affording an acceptable level of aesthetics. But the success of this application is a result of the efforts and the expertise of the entire supply chain — a team effort to meet the needs of the OEM customer.” LyondellBasell Industries is one of the world's largest polymers, petrochemicals and fuels companies. LyondellBasell is the global leader in polyolefins technology, production and marketing; a pioneer in propylene oxide and derivatives; and a significant producer of fuels and refined products, including bio-fuels. Through research and development, LyondellBasell develops innovative materials and technologies that deliver exceptional customer value and products that improve quality of life for people around the world. Headquartered in The Netherlands, LyondellBasell (http://www.lyondellbasell.com/) is privately owned by Access Industries. # # # Note for editorial offices: This complete release, including a high-resolution file of the accompanying photograph, can be downloaded from the company’s website: http://www.apo.lyondellbasell.com/services/news/0,,42299-2-0,00.htm Product and application contacts: Product information: Dumur Industries: Acrylon Plastics: Orion Plastics: Caption: Sequel E3000 engineered polyolefin is selected by customers for extrusion into sheetstock to be used in thermoforming applications. The material combines excellent impact resistance with low-temperature ductility and UV resistance, so a cap layer is not required for weatherability. Sequel E3000 polyolefin is designed to exhibit ductility at temperatures as low as −30 °C. This material can be easily colored, eliminating the cost of painting along with the emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) associated with the painting process. All seven components of the cab are now produced in Sequel E3000 polyolefin material in a color-matched orange with a lightly grained surface, reducing both the cost and the weight of the Wolverine ATV without compromising appearance or durability. |