Pittsfield, Mass.-based GE Plastics has installed a high-temperature melt-spinning line from West
Melbourne, Fla.-based Hills Inc. at its Polymer Processing Development Center in Pittsfield. The
line is capable of processing resins at temperatures up to 450ºC, which enables the use of GEs
flame-retardant Ultem polyetherimide (PEI) and Extem amorphous thermoplastic polyimide and PEI
resin grades. It also is capable of producing continuous filaments at speeds of up to 1,800 meters
per minute, as well as in-line drawing of fibers.
The new line also can produce fibers ranging from 2 to 10 deniers per filament from PEI and
other high-temperature resins, and is equipped for co-extrusion. Fibers produced from Extem and
Ultem resins are colorable and may be converted into staple fibers and filaments for use in woven
and nonwoven applications.
“With the acquisition of specialized equipment for low-denier fibers, GE Plastics is entering
a new industry where our materials will play an increasingly important and critical role”, said
Rick Pontillo, general manager, Global Application Technology, GE Plastics. “As textile
manufacturers face increasingly strict compliance requirements, GE Plastics will help provide new
fiber solutions featuring inherent flame retardance and excellent resistance to high heat and
chemicals. We expect this capital investment to enable us to quickly develop new high-performance
fiber applications spanning global industry.”
May 22, 2007
