Polymer Compounding and Color Specialists

Polymer Compounding and Color Specialists

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RheTech, Inc. Leading Thermoplastics Compounder

Reinforced Polypropylenes, TPO’s and Polyamides Founded 1969 Privately held; Michigan (Ann Arbor) - based Four manufacturing facilities in Michigan, Ohio and South Carolina

Whitmore Lake, MI – Rhe Tech Inc HQ Fowlerville, MI – Rhe Tech Inc Manufacturing Sandusky, OH – Rhe Tech Colors – RTC Blacksburg, SC – Rhe Tech Engineered Plastics – REP

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RheTech, Inc. Facilities Whitmore Lake, Michigan

RheTech Headquarters Engineering and

Technical Center Specialty Extrusion A2LA Accredited

Laboratory Fowlerville, Michigan

High Volume Output Extrusion

Compounding and Laboratory

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RheVision - Bio Reinforced Polyolefin


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RheVision Overview RheVision is a family of bio fiber reinforced

polypropylene / polyolefin. Also can add post consumer polyolefin into some

formulations. Product line is not biodegradable. Majority of our bio fibers are true waste products.

They are not grown for us nor do they take away from food production

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RheVision Product Family RheVision

Natural Fiber Families

Coconut Fiber – CF Series – New Industry Flax Fiber – FF Series – Expansion from Existing Industry . Paper Powder – RP & PP – New Industry Rice Hull - RH Series – Extended Industry

ground and unground Walnut Shell – WS Series - Expansion from Existing Industry Wood Fiber – WM & WP Series – Extended Industry WoodForce – WF Series - Expansion from Existing Industry

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RheVision – Green Reinforced Polyolefn Why did we choose these fibers ? Are others available ?

Availability ready to use Others are available but are in a raw state

Offer Repeatable Properties Offer Benefit

Aesthetic Physical Properties Compounds are Lighter Than Traditional Mineral

Reinforced Products

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Key Benefits - RheVision Molding Existing Tools Can Be Used. Materials are medium melt flow

The nature of natural fibers does not give a true reading under typical melt flow conditions.

Establish Melt Flow via Spiral Flow Tool. Mold Cool

No Greater than 400 F Natural fibers will burn.

Overall Shorter cycle times because lower temperatures are used.

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RheVision Automotive Approvals Ford Motor

Released a Worldwide Specification For Rice Hull Filled Grade

Chrysler Corporation Specifications for Wood Filled and Rice Hull

Filled Grades Working with Other OEMs to Develop

Specifications

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RheVision – Automotive Interiors


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Target Materials / Interior Applications Applications That are Typically in Talc

Reinforced Polypropylene Bins & Glove Box Inner Arm Rest Inserts Visor Cores

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Applicable Natural Fibers Ground Rice Hulls

Physical Attributes Like Ground Minerals Flax Fiber

Strength Ground Coconut Shell

Hardness

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Rice Hulls / Husks13

Flax Fiber14

Ground Coconut ShellCourse Ground Coconut

ShellFine Ground Coconut

Shell

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Natural Fibers with Dow Corning Coupler vs. Filled Polypropylene

Specific Gravity 0.980.99

11.011.021.031.041.051.061.07

20% Talc Filled PP40% Ground Coconut Shell PP*30% Ground Rice Hull30% Flax Fiber

*- Denotes Impact Modified Formula-tion

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Tensile Strength @ Yield MPa 05

1015202530354045


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* Denotes impact Modified Formulation


Flexural Modulus MPa 0

500100015002000250030003500


* Denotes Impact Modified Formu-lation

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Notched Izod Kj / M20123456


* Denotes Impact Modified Formulation

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HDT .45 Mpa Degrees C 110115120125130135140145150


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Shore D Instant Surface Hardness 62

64

66

68

70


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Conclusions Similar Material Performance is Attainable With

Green Renewable Reinforcements v Non Renewable

Lighter Weight Parts Cost Saving Cycle Time Reductions Should be

Attainable No Additional Tooling Cost Dark / Hard Coconut Particle Aid in Scratch

Visibility vs. Lighter Colored Mineral

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Thank You!23

Polymer Compounding and Color Specialists

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