From polymer selection to functional design: how a truly safe professional flat iron is created.
Did you know that a professional hair straightener can reach up to 230 °C? At such temperatures, every detail matters: the materials used must offer thermal resistance, dimensional stability, and, at the same time, safety for the end user. This is the starting point of the Stilista flat iron project from the BabylissPRO line, born from the collaboration between Conair and LATI, an Italian leader in high-performance thermoplastic compounds.
To create the inner and outer casing of the Stilista flat iron, Conair chose LARTON G/40, a compound developed by LATI based on PPS reinforced with 40% glass fiber. This material offers an optimal combination of:
Choosing a technical polymer like PPS allows for optimal performance under critical conditions near the heating elements, while ensuring the final product remains lightweight, durable, and easy to handle.
[Read the technical datasheet for LARTON G/40 here]
The heating system of the Stilista flat iron brings the ceramic surfaces from 150 °C to 230 °C in just 40 seconds. The external casing, however, must remain cool to the touch—even when the flat iron is used close to the roots.
This is where LARTON G/40 proves its full effectiveness:
Beyond thermal performance, the Stilista flat iron is designed to provide an ergonomic and comfortable user experience. The housing’s design allows for a firm yet lightweight grip, while the materials used ensure excellent long-term durability.
The project, entirely made in Italy, is a tangible example of integration between materials engineering and industrial design, where every technical choice is made to meet the needs of professionals working daily in the hairstyling industry.
This new development marks another step forward in the ongoing collaboration between LATI and Conair, already well established in the creation of high-performance hairstyling tools. The result is a product that combines safety, aesthetics, and reliability-ready to become a benchmark for salons and beauty professionals.
The evolution of processes and technology exposes polymers to increasingly high temperatures, both peak and continuous.
The requirements in the field of electronics and telecommunications are ever more stringent with the progress of technological development that characterizes this industry.
PPS: the engineering polymer that defies heat and humidity