Smart materials are sought after because they are able to react to their surroundings without the need for electronics, sensors or intervention. They provide elegant solutions to complex problems and reliability through simplicity. Several classes of smart material exist already from shape memory alloys, through polymers that change solubility with pH and of course thermochromic materials that change color with temperature, for example to warn when an object is too hot to touch. As interesting as smart materials are, new smart materials are few and far between. Even more rare is to find a smart material that combines good mechanical properties, safety, processability and most importanty, reasonable cost.
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| Introducing ThermoShift™, a totally new and unique material that changes from opaque (milky) to transparent as it is heated or cooled. With excellent mechanical properties and processability just like ABS plastic, this new material has applicability in many different products and industries. Best of all, it is exclusive to Phantom Plastics™ and is the creation of Dr. DeArmitt who, as inventor, understands the full capabilities of the material and how to tune it to fit your needs. A preliminary specification sheet with indicative properties is available for download: ThermoShift Spec Sheet |
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Download a movie showing the material in action. Two identical water jugs made by injection molding ThermoShift™ are shown. The one on the right hand-side has a heat gun above it and turns from opaque to transparent right before your eyes. This version of the material is tuned to become transparent at 65°C. We have other grades that become transparent at 45, 55 and 75°C as well as grades that become transparent when cooled to 5, -5 or -15°C.
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Download the movie:
ThermoShift in Action (17MB) or
ThermoShift in Action (14MB higher resolution) |
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Having trouble playing the movie? If so download VLC PLayer:
http://www.videolan.org/vlc/
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An article explaining more about ThermoShift can be accessed here:
Download ThermoShift Article |
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| ThermoShift was featured in the magazine Plastics Additives & Compounding |
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• Excellent mechanical properties, like ABS plastic
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• Easy to injection mold (good flow, amorphous)
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• Infinitely reversible opaque - transparent transition
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| • Family of materials with adjustable transparency temperature (-20°C to +80°C) |
• Good chemical resistance
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• Safe with no toxic ingredients or extractibles MSDS
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• Readily colorable
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• Cost - effective
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| Phantom Plastics™ is working under NDA with several major companies worldwide. Exclusivity is available either by geographical region or by industry. |
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