The copolyester provides greater design freedom for designers who traditionally use materials such as polycarbonate to produce plastic parts for small appliances. The durable copolyester withstands harsh dishwasher environment, which exposes products to high heat and moisture levels as well as a broad array of foodstuffs, residential and commercial detergents, and sanitizers.
Parts made from the copolyester reportedly have lower levels of residual stress than polycarbonate. This advantage provides designers with more freedom to create complex appliance aesthetics.
Tritan also offers faster processing than traditional copolyesters and can be readily substituted in molds designed for other materials, including polycarbonate. Because of the potential for reduced residual stress, as well as chemical resistance and hydrolytic stability, annealing procedures can be eliminated, creating the potential for increasing production speeds and lowering energy use. Tritan also has a density 2% lower than polycarbonate, which translates into more parts per kilogram.
Eastman Chemical Co., Box 431, Kingsport, TN 37662, (423) 229-2000, www.eastman.com