Decorated to endure - Eastman · everyday consumer use problems for substrates ... Eastman polymers can be molded behind labels and film using either injection ... risk of label damage

Long-lasting solutions for in-mold decoration

Decorated to endure

Expanding your

Substrate capabilities

Eastman Chemical Company offers a portfolio of polymers that solve many processing, aesthetic, and

everyday consumer use problems for substrates and labels found in control, display, and decorative panels

using in-mold decoration. A unique combination of toughness, clarity, chemical resistance, and ease of

processing encourages the creation and fabrication of dramatic designs and innovative products.

Innovate with a great substrate behind you.

Eastman polymers offer designers and engineers a new level of flexibility in substrate

solutions. Eastman polymers can be molded behind labels and film using either injection

molding or blow molding processes. Either way, the glasslike clarity of the substrate

promotes crisp and precise presentation of text and logos—and bright shine-through for

LED backlit applications.

The combination of attributes provided by Eastman polymers allows the design of thin-

walled lenses, windows, and covers that enhance dramatic designs. This helps avoid some

of the compromises that are unavoidable with materials such as polymethyl methacrylate

(PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), and transparent acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (tABS)

copolymers. Meanwhile, their outstanding tintability and gloss expand the palette of

vibrant colors for the designer.

Just as important, these polymers offer an ease of processing that encourages

confidence that intricate designs can be commercially produced.

Low processing temperatures reduce the risk of label damage or ink washout.

High impact resistance and chemical resistance meet the demands for handheld electronics, appliances, business machines, and medical equipment.

Enduring aesthetics and functionality going forward

Eastman polymers provide a template of toughness for in-mold applications. Our

portfolio offers high impact resistance and elongation at break for the most demanding

applications—with improved hydrolytic stability and chemical resistance compared with

many engineering resins. This unique combination delivers remarkable durability and

retained clarity even in challenging environments involving cleansers, heat, and humidity.

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Water Ice Cubes

Crushed Ice

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Eastman polymers provide good adhesion with common label materials.

Chemical resistance translates to durability in the presence of body oils, cleansers, and disinfectants.

Demanding more of a substrate polymer

Eastman polymers for in-mold decoration, including those highlighted on these pages,

satisfy many needs that have become too demanding for other materials. In addition,

all are backed by the worldwide leadership of Eastman Chemical Company.

High Medium Low

Glasslike clarity (91% light transmission) improves backlit applications as well as clear identification of text and logos.

Toughness and flexibility allow ultrathin interface windows for greater sensitivity and durability in soft-touch membrane electrical switches. Enduring flex life of switches can extend the functional life of panels.

Starting with high clarity, a full range of tints and special-effect colors can be created that enable versatile designs—from subdued to dazzling.

Screws stay in place. Clips stay clipped. Eastman Tritan™ copolyester infuses molded parts with a high static friction (stiction) that can enhance fastening performance of screw bosses and clips—and expand design options.

Eastman polymers for in-mold decoration

EASTMAN TRITAN™ COPOLYESTER is proven in the

medical, housewares, and face protection markets. Tritan

offers a balance of properties that is excellent for high-value

applications such as thin-walled interface panels or where

hygiene and disinfection are critical. Special features include:

• Best-in-class chemical resistance—maintains beauty and

integrity when exposed to lipids, skin oils, disinfectants,

and other chemicals.

• Lower processing temperature—reduced risk of warped

parts and ink washout.

• Dishwasher durability—withstands repeated exposure to

combinations of cleansers, humidity, and temperature.

• Stable clarity and color—even following sterilization

by ethylene oxide (EtO), gamma, and e-beam radiation.

• Outstanding flexing strength—combines with toughness

for thin-walled, membrane switches and fastening features.

• Easier to fabricate than PC—and no separate annealing

step required.

DURASTAR™ POLYMERS offer outstanding clarity, ease

of processing, and economy.

• Available in a variety of grades, including toughened,

high-flow, UVI, and medical grades.

• Flexing strength, processing temperature, and

durability similar to Eastman Tritan™ copolyester.

• DuraStar does not stress-whiten when flexed, like

impact-modified acrylics.

Eastman backs you up in more ways than one.

Eastman is a global leader in polymer innovation. In

addition to providing a reliable source of advanced polymers,

Eastman applies experience and prototyping capability to

help customers identify needs and find innovative substrate

solutions. Eastman applies a “systems approach” when

matching a polymer to specific substrate requirements,

to provide the best integration with the film or label

being used.

Early involvement with Eastman can help eliminate

costly surprises, shorten product development and

commercialization cycles, and results in high-quality,

innovative parts that maintain a competitive advantage.

To learn more, visit eastman.com/IMD.

Sustainability—behind you every step of the way

Eastman is a Responsible Care® company. Eastman Tritan™

copolyester and DuraStar™ polymers can help support

sustainability initiative in a variety of ways:

– Substrates made of Eastman in-mold polymers combine

attributes that can help reduce waste, energy consumption,

and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

– Parts do not require annealing to relieve residual stress, which

reduces energy consumption.

– Tritan and DuraStar are not manufactured with bisphenol A

(BPA) orthophthalate plasticizers or halogens such as chlorine.

– Tritan and DuraStar are GREENGUARD INDOOR AIR

QUALITY CERTIFIED®.

PM

METERIT

mg/dL

Eastman Chemical CompanyCorporate HeadquartersP.O. Box 431Kingsport, TN 37662-5280 U.S.A.

Telephone:U.S.A. and Canada, 800-EASTMAN (800-327-8626)Other Locations, (1) 423-229-2000Fax: (1) 423-229-1193

Eastman Chemical Latin America9155 South Dadeland Blvd.Suite 1116Miami, FL 33156 U.S.A.

Telephone: (1) 305-671-2800Fax: (1) 305-671-2805

Eastman Chemical B.V.Fascinatio Boulevard 602-6142909 VA Capelle aan den IJsselThe Netherlands

Telephone: (31) 10 2402 111Fax: (31) 10 2402 100

Eastman (Shanghai) Chemical Commercial Company, Ltd. Jingan Branch1206, CITIC SquareNo. 1168 Nanjing Road (W)Shanghai 200041, P.R. China

Telephone: (86) 21 6120-8700Fax: (86) 21 5213-5255

Eastman Chemical Japan Ltd.MetLife Aoyama Building 5F2-11-16 Minami AoyamaMinato-ku, Tokyo 107-0062 Japan

Telephone: (81) 3-3475-9510Fax: (81) 3-3475-9515

Eastman Chemical Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd.#05-04 Winsland House3 Killiney RoadSingapore 239519

Telephone: (65) 6831-3100Fax: (65) 6732-4930

www.eastman.com/IMD

Material Safety Data Sheets providing safety precautions

that should be observed when handling and storing Eastman

products are available online or by request. You should obtain

and review the available material safety information before

handling any of these products. If any materials mentioned

are not Eastman products, appropriate industrial hygiene and

other safety precautions recommended by their manufacturers

should be observed.

Neither Eastman Chemical Company nor its marketing affiliates

shall be responsible for the use of this information or of any

product, method, or apparatus mentioned, and you must make

your own determination of its suitability and completeness for

your own use, for the protection of the environment, and for the

health and safety of your employees and purchasers of your

products. NO WARRANTY IS MADE OF THE MERCHANTABILITY

OR FITNESS OF ANY PRODUCT, AND NOTHING HEREIN WAIVES

ANY OF THE SELLER’S CONDITIONS OF SALE.

Eastman, DuraStar, The results of insight, and Tritan are

trademarks of Eastman Chemical Company.

GREENGUARD INDOOR AIR QUALITY CERTIFIED is a

trademark of the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute;

Responsible Care is a registered service mark of the

American Chemistry Council, Inc.

© Eastman Chemical Company, 2012.

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