Controlled Density Materials

Polymers generally have a density close to 1 g/cm3, and their compounds can reach about 1.5-2 g/cm3. There are applications where materials that are easily transformable but with densities below 1 or above 3-4 g/cm3 are required. In this case, it is necessary to develop injection-moldable thermoplastic compounds containing a certain amount of specific fillers to modify the density of the resulting material.

The lightest LATIMASS are loaded with hollow glass spheres and offer densities close to 0.9 g/cm3, while the heaviest products contain ceramics or metal powders and have specific weights that vary continuously between 2 and 11 g/cm3.

The lightest products are used, for example, for making floats, in sports, or for structural elements where weight reduction is the fundamental requirement, or in kinematic chains to contain the inertia of moving parts.

Heavy compounds are required for making counterweights, inertial masses, in sports, cosmetics, and packaging for parts where the sensation of weight is associated with the perception of the finished product’s quality.

Absolutely not, all LATIMASS formulations are free of toxic metals or harmful to the environment and human health.

Low-density LATIMASS requires attention to preserve the integrity of the hollow glass spheres used in the material: excessive thermomechanical stress and overly long residence times during plasticization should be avoided. Heavier compounds are quite viscous, and some fillers may require some attention to be effectively transformed, avoiding excessive stress on the machine.

LATIMASS eliminates the need for overmolding and additional components, reducing costs and production complexity. They can be painted or metallized.