Lifolit are a family of high-quality, soft polyvinyl chloride (PVC) compounds, custom formulated to your requirements.

    PVC is a building block of our daily lives, its versatility and performance benefits make it an ideal choice for a wide variety of applications in the construction, consumer, industrial, toy and automotive markets.

    We’ve been developing PVC compounds since 1965 and continue to engineer new solutions to address current and emerging market demands. As concerns grew over the use of certain plasticizers in PVC compounds, we have developed non phthalate, DEHP free and low VOC compounds.

    Our aim is to provide the best material solution for every application; our experts work hand-in-hand with you to develop customised solutions that help your business to grow. Please use this guide as an introduction to the Lifolit range and contact us to discuss your specific requirements.

KEY PROPERTIES

• Hardness range from 40 Shore A to 60 Shore D 

• Free of heavy metals and PAHs 

• Food contact grades 

• Non phthalate plasticizer 

• All compounds are DEHP free 

• Good UV resistance and weatherproofing 

• Crystal clear, translucent, natural or colour compounded grades 

• Foamed grades up to a density of 0.45g/cm3 

• Antistatic and conductive grades available 

• Polymer blends 

• Easy to process via injection moulding and extrusion

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS
• Footwear

• Toys 

• Glazing profiles 

• Construction gaskets 

• Hoses 

• Handles & Grips

TOY FIGURES 

    These toy figurines are incredibly life-like, lovingly created and beautifully designed products. The manufacturer puts their responsibility to parents and children at the heart of their philosophy and only works with the highest quality materials and suppliers. 

    We have been a supply partner for a number of years. Our Lifolit PVC compounds are an ideal choice for toy and childcare products, they conform to relevant industry standards and regulations such as EN 71/3. We also select the raw materials we use carefully, implementing strict quality control processes. The raw materials we use comply with EU directive No. 10/2011.  

    Lifolit PVC compounds are low odour, with low migration levels for improved lacquer adhesion. Varnishing is also possible. The compounds are also easy to process, with fast cycle times resulting in low energy costs during manufacturing.

FOAMED PVC 

For footwear and shoe sole applications we have developed several grades of foamed Lifolit PVC. They are foamed up to a density of 0.65g/cm3. With extrusion processing densities up to 0.45g/cm3. We also offer grades with no chemical blowing agents which can be processed at temperatures up to 195°C. They also have a very fine cell structure.

PVC BLENDS 

By blending nitrile rubber (NBR) or other polymers, such as TPU, we have created PVC compounds with very elastic properties. Our PVC blends also allow us to modify very specific properties such as abrasion and chemical resistance. 
ANTISTATIC, CONDUCTIVES & FLAME RETARDANT GRADES 

The Lifolit range includes antistatic and conductive PVC grades. Designed to dissipate electrical charges where EMI or static build-up could cause interference. We also offer flame retardant PVC compounds which comply with RoHS regulations.

    Lifolit PVC compounds are easy to process via injection moulding, extrusion, blow moulding and deep drawing. 
    We have engineered flexible PVC compounds with very high flowability, ideal for injection moulding, as well as highly viscous grades for extrusion. 
    Lifolit PVC compounds result in fast cycling times, meaning low energy costs during manufacture of the final application. Recycling of finished products is also possible.
    · INJECTION MOULDING GUIDELINES 

MOULD: Stainless steel with a minimum chromium content of 13% (preferably 16%) is recommended for mould building. If the application allows, highly polished or chrome plated mould and runner surface is beneficial for steel protection. 

INJECTION SPEED: Slow to medium 

BACK PRESSURE: Low The Injection and holding pressures are determined by filling properties, mould design and part size. 

COMPRESSION RATIO: 2:1 to 2.5 : 1 

L/D RATIO:≥ 20 D 

BARREL CAPACITY: 1.5 to 2 times the shot capacity 

GATING:Due to the thermal and shear sensitivity of all PVC compounds, liberal gating is recommended. If possible, use full round runners.

    ·INJECTION MOULDING GUIDELINES

DRYING: Predrying is normally not necessary

COLOURING: Only use pigments. Due to the risk of colour bleeding, migration or leaching, dyes should not be used

PURGING: PVC compounds are thermal and shear sensitive and care must be taken to avoid excessive heating or delays during the moulding process. Do not allow the PVC to sit idle in the screw for more than 10  - 15 minutes. Turn off heat. During stoppage, the machine should be purged with polyethylene (PE) until all the PVC compound is removed. Then purge the remainder of the PE and turn off the heat.

    ·INJECTION MOULDING RECOMMENDED TEMPERATURES

MELT TEMPERATURE: The melt temperature should not exceed 200°C. PVC is heat sensitive, decomposition could occur.

MOULD TEMPERATURES:  30  - 60 °C

    ·EXTRUSION GUIDELINES

SCREW DESIGN: Standard 3 zone screws with a length of (L/D ratio) 20 - 24 D and compression ratio of 2:1 to 2.5:1 are recommended. Highly polished or plated, streamlined dies are recommded for PVC.
DRYING: Predrying is normally not necessary
COLOURING: Only use pigments. Due to the risk of colour bleeding, migration or leaching, dyes should not be used
PURGING: PVC compounds are thermal and shear sensitive materials. We recommend that you do not leave the material in the screw for more than 15 minutes at an elevated temperature. However, if this is unavoidable, allow the extruder to run at a slow speed so that the material is kept moving. During stoppage, open the head and clean the adapter, tooling and all other parts immediately. Then reduce the temperatures and allow the machine to empty.

    ·EXTRUSION RECOMMENDED TEMPERATURES

MELT TEMPERATURE: The melt temperature should not exceed 200°C. PVC is heat sensitive and decomposition could occur. Normally, the standard temperature profiles used are low to high from feed to die. Running a reverse temperature profile is also possible.