New SMMA hangs tough. (Keeping Up with Materials).

A clear, impact-modified styrene-acrylic (SMMA) copolymer from Nova Chemicals in Pittsburgh is aimed at replacing transparent ABS, impactmodified acrylic, polycarbonate, and PETG in medical devices, appliances, consumer electronics, and personal-care products. Nova says Zylar 390 offers a superior balance of clarity and toughness as well as chemical resistance, easy processing, excellent colorability, high gloss, low levels of black specks, and simplified drying.

Zylar 390 has a notched Izod impact strength of 2 ft-lb/in. Nova says its high practical toughness is better reflected in its 65% elongation at break, which is much higher than that of clear ABS or acrylic. It also has a specific gravity of 1.04, MFR of 4 g/l0 min, 89% light transmission, 1.6% haze, Vicat softening temperature of 206 F, and HDT of 155 F at 264 psi. Zylar 390 can be sterilized by gamma radiation or ethylene oxide and meets USP Class VI specs. An early use is a surgical blood-ifiter canister (pictured). Tel: [phone], www.novachemicals.com