In the early days of 2017, a 250x250 ad unit was created, marked by the ID "u2939694". This piece of content has now evolved into a detailed overview of recent advancements in composite materials and engineering plastics.
American-based composite manufacturer RTP has recently introduced a groundbreaking carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastic engineering plastic. Leveraging advanced synthetic technology, this material enhances performance while preserving the integrity of the fibers. The new product, dubbed “a thorough high-performance composite,†is made from high-performance resins such as PEEK, PPA, PPS, and PEI.
Matt Torosian, Business Manager at RTP Performance Materials, described this development as a significant milestone for the thermoplastic engineering plastics industry. He emphasized that the new composite combines high-temperature-resistant polymers with fiber reinforcement, bringing next-generation engineering plastics closer to optimal performance.
The new composite offers excellent mechanical properties, including high impact resistance, while also inheriting the benefits of carbon fiber—such as low density, corrosion resistance, and ease of molding. Carbon fiber content ranges between 20% and 40%, making it ideal for demanding applications.
According to RTP, the material can withstand extreme conditions of high temperature and pressure, offering promising applications in aerospace, industrial, medical, and automotive sectors. It is expected to gradually replace traditional metals like aluminum, zinc, and magnesium in the near future.
With the growing popularity of LED lighting, the demand for light-diffusing materials has increased significantly. Light diffusing agents play a crucial role in these materials, and their development has become a key focus area.
Currently, high-end markets are dominated by silicone resin-based diffusers, mainly used for PC light-diffusing materials. These products offer advantages such as narrow particle size distribution, good light transmittance, and high diffusion efficiency (typically around 0.5%). They also maintain clarity without yellowing during processing.
In contrast, the low-end market relies on acrylate or polystyrene microspheres and inorganic silica for PS and PMMA-based materials. These options are more cost-effective but have lower performance and temperature resistance. Domestic companies have started to develop their own products, offering competitive pricing. However, high-end silicone diffusers are still largely imported, with major suppliers including Japan's Shin-Etsu, the U.S.'s Momentive, and South Korea’s ABC. China currently lacks industrial-scale production due to the high technical requirements for purity, particle size distribution, and optical properties.
Despite this, some domestic enterprises have made progress in silicone resin research, achieving cost advantages that could drive further growth in the local light-diffusing materials market.
Chen Zhaojun, an application engineer at Saudi Basic Innovative Plastics, highlighted the evolving role of engineering plastics in LED lighting. As LEDs require higher thermal resistance, engineering plastics have become a key alternative to traditional glass. The company’s blow-molding technology ensures up to 96.5% light reflectance in 0.3 mm-thick materials, which is essential for efficient LED design.
Saudi Arabia has established a dedicated R&D center for LED lighting, equipped with advanced tools for temperature and optical simulation. This investment allows them to meet the strict optical requirements of the LED industry.
As electronic components continue to shrink, special engineering plastics like PPA, PA6T, and LCP are becoming increasingly popular. Their widespread use has driven demand for specialized processing stabilizers.
Traditional antioxidants like 168, 1076, and 1098 often fail to meet the thermal stability needs of high-temperature processing (above 320°C). Instead, advanced systems such as Cytec’s 1790 and 3114, Clariant’s PEP-Q, and Dover’s 9228 are commonly used. In some cases, these are combined with BASF’s HP-136, forming a synergistic antioxidant system that improves performance.
As the polymer industry continues to evolve, new additives and applications are emerging. Understanding their mechanisms and matching them to specific product needs is becoming a key trend in the development of next-generation materials.
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