From the close co-operation between a polimer producer and SIMA, a new polyethylene product able to achieve characteristics not possible before, is born.
HE 1908 from Borealis is a new high density modified polyethylene developed by the Danish Company in close co-operation with SIMA. A material finalised to the monofilament product, generally used for fishing nets and ropes sector. Thanks to Polytit, the new extrusion solution developed by SIMA which is able to go beyound the standard HDPE treatment, it has possible to obtain very special results.
Among the fishing nets and ropes applications, the market is focused mostly on HDPE grades able to reach two key properties: tenacity and elongation at break. For tenacity, the best values from standard products and lines today set about 7.5 gr./D (66.8 cN/tex): these values do already establish an high level of material tenacity.
The new polyethylene and the special extrusion line studied by SIMA, increase this property, reaching 11.5 gr./D (102.3 cN/tex).
It is thus possible to appreciate about 50% of growth if compared with traditional products actually considered high tenacity. Furthermore the new system is able to obtain high output. The high elongation at break could be negative for fishing nets and ropes.
Generally these vakues set around 22-25%, while the market asks for 16%. HDPE 1908 from Borealis and the new extrusion line from SIMA, can supply values of 14-16%.
Both tenacity as well as the elongation at break results, have been obtained after 30 different tests.
<< We are particulary satisfied of these results, >> said Sergio Brina, Technical Products Manager at SIMA, << not only because we are able to supply material with special properties not possible before, but also because the valuation cost/performances of the system is particulary convenient if compared to the existing ones. >>
In fact, the new extrusion technology by SIMA, has been focused on a careful study of transformation parameters which brought to an excellent flexibility up to an almost double output capacity (till 150 m/min, thet means 180 Kg/h) without affecting the excellent properties results obtained and with total cost similar to those of standard productions.
The extrusion lines show some peculiar properties such as:
600 deners, 0.3 mm diameter yarn for a total quantity of 300 yarns. The final product can be used for fishing nets and ropes  and also  for hail protecting-gridsused in agriculture.