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| Dental Prophy Angles |
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| Previous Material: |
Metal |
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| Current Material: |
Polycarbonate |
| Benefits: |
Weight, Fabrication |
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With product sterility and efficient packaging becoming increasingly important in the medical field, plastic
dental prophy angles are becoming more widely utilized in today's dental offices. In addition, the enhanced
formability that is inherent with thermoplastic is an added benefit of this new plastic application.
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| Tractor Roofs |
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| Previous Material: |
Metal |
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| Current Material: |
Korad/ABS, WeatherPro G, EXtreem PolyPro |
| Benefits: |
Durability, Weight, Weatherability, Cost |
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Traditionally made from metal, the new John Deere Tractor Roofs are being made of thermoformed plastic materials,
thereby reducing the overall weight of the machinery. In addition, customers are realizing the added benefits
of durability, weatherability, and reduced costs in such applications.
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| Pet Cage Pans |
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| Previous Material: |
Galvanized Aluminum |
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| Current Material: |
ABS |
| Benefits: |
Cost, Dent Proof, Weight, Formability |
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Traditionally made of galvanized aluminum, pet cage pans, such as those pictured here, are now being made of
thermoplastic materials, such as ABS. The advantages of this transformation include reduced costs, the ease of
formability, lighter weight, and dent resistance.
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| Folding Tables |
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| Previous Material: |
Particle Board |
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| Current Material: |
ABS |
| Benefits: |
Cost, Weight |
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Previously manufactured using particle board, the next generation of folding tables are being made with thermoplastics.
The benefits realized include cost savings, as well as a reduction in the weight of the overall product. Further,
the tables can be easily formed into a variety of shapes and sizes.
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| Power Tool Cases |
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| Previous Material: |
Metal |
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| Current Material: |
PE, PP |
| Benefits: |
Weight, Formability |
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| Black & Decker recently replaced the traditional metal cases for many of their popular power tools with new,
lighter weight plastic cases. In addition to lighter weight, the product is now easily formable and also more
durable than its previous metal counterpart. |
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| Portable Storage Containers |
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| Previous Material: |
Aluminum |
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| Current Material: |
HMWPE |
| Benefits: |
Durability |
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PODS, or Portable On Demand Storage, is a well-recognized product transformation for Spartech. The storage component,
previously produced from aluminum, is now being made with thermoplastics. Formability and durability are the primary
advantages of the new application.
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| Utility Pole Cross Bars |
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| Previous Material: |
Wood |
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| Current Material: |
Glass Reinforced Polypropylene |
| Benefits: |
Cost, Durability |
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Traditionally made of wood, utility pole cross bars were commonly in need of replacement due to their lack of
weatherability. With the transformation of wood to Filled Polypropylene, the durability of the cross bars is
being greatly enhanced, thus reducing labor costs involved with common replacement.
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| Canes/Walking Sticks |
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| Previous Material: |
Wood, Metal |
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| Current Material: |
Acrylic |
| Benefits: |
Aesthetics, Durability |
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Previously made from wood or metal, Spartech is now part of the exciting transformation of canes and walking sticks
into acrylic. This new product, produced with Spartech's acrylic rods, allows for an extensive choice in color and
also offers users greater durability over traditional materials.
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| Pencils |
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| Previous Material: |
Wood |
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| Current Material: |
FoamAlloy WRP |
| Benefits: |
Durability, Cost, Design Flexibility |
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| Applications as simple as pencils are seeing a transformation from "traditional" materials into thermoplastics.
Pencils, like those shown at left, are now being made of Spartech's FoamAlloy WRP Alloy Plastic material. They
are far more durable than a traditional wood pencil and can be produced at a lower cost as well. |
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| Wheelchair/Scooter Tires |
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| Previous Material: |
Rubber |
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| Current Material: |
Polyurethane Foam |
| Benefits: |
Durability, Cost, Smoother Ride |
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Polyurethane foam is largely replacing the traditional rubber tires used within the healthcare industry for wheelchair
and scooter tires. With this transition, and the no-flat design option available from the polyurethane foam,
manufacturers and consumers alike are benefiting from added durability at a lower cost compared to traditional materials.
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| Barricade Boards |
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| Previous Material: |
Wood |
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| Current Material: |
MDPE |
| Benefits: |
Durability, Safety, Aesthetics |
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| Many applications for barricade boards used in the safety & construction industry previously made of wood, are
being transformed into thermoplastics, namely MDPE. With this change, added durability, enhanced safety, and
improved aesthetics are being realized as the major benefits. |
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| Powermate Wheels |
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| Previous Material: |
Steel Rim/Rubber Tire |
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| Current Material: |
PVC Tire/HDPE Hub |
| Benefits: |
Aesthetics, Durability, Cost, Portable |
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Many of the power tool units found in stores today are using a new style of wheel combining a PVC tire with an HDPE hub.
This transition from a traditional steel rim and rubber tire offers users many benefits, including a no-flat design,
improved aesthetics, reduced costs, along with being rust resistant to chemicals and the outdoor environment.
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| Cattle Feeders |
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| Previous Material: |
Wood |
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| Current Material: |
Polyethylene |
| Benefits: |
Durability, Aesthetics, Cost, Formability |
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Many of the newer cattle feeders being produced today are being made from polyethylene rather than wood for
enhanced durability. Further, the formability of the new material allows for greater design flexibility, and
improved aesthetics are also being realized. In addition, costs are being reduced by utilizing polyethylene over wood.
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| Orthotics Bracing |
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| Previous Material: |
Plaster |
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| Current Material: |
Modified LDPE |
| Benefits: |
Durability, Cost, Aesthetics |
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Enhancements in the medical industry are also being realized with the transition from traditional materials to
thermoplastics. Orthotics bracings, for example, which were previously made of plaster, are now being made from
modified LDPE, making them more durable, less costly, and offering the consumer improved aesthetics.
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| Emergency Backboards/Stretchers |
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| Previous Material: |
Wood |
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| Current Material: |
ABS |
| Benefits: |
Safety, Durability, Cost, Colorability |
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Safety certainly is the leading factor driving the transformation of emergency backboards and stretchers from
their traditional wood materials into ABS, as enhanced sanitary capabilities are being derived. In addition,
increased durability is also a factor influencing the change, as are the cost savings that are being realized.
Further, the ability to color the material gives an added benefit for triage and service units.
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