DuPont Engg Polymers extends alliance to combine best of polymers with the best of metals

03-Oct-08

DuPont Engineering Polymers has announced a long-term alliance with California-based PowerMetal Technologies, Inc. to further develop and commercialize MetaFuse™ nanocrystalline metal/polymer hybrid technology, with initial development programs targeted at electronic hand-held devices, sporting goods, furniture, power tools and appliances. One year ago, DuPont Engineering Polymers signed a similar alliance with Morph Technologies to bring this technology to the automotive market. "MetaFuse™ builds on the foundational strength of DuPont Engineering Polymers, which lies in application development using high-performance materials and technology aimed at helping customers deliver high-quality, cost-effective systems and components," said Keith J. Smith, vice president and general manager - DuPont Engineering Polymers. "The technology's combination of strength and stiffness from metals plus the design flexibility of plastics has proven to excite innovative designers and engineers who want to create with fewer limits." MetaFuse™ nanometal/polymer hybrids can be used to manufacture extremely lightweight components with the strength and stiffness of metal combined with the design flexibility and lightweight benefits of high-performance thermoplastics. The technology employs a proprietary process that precisely applies ultra high-strength nanometal to components made of DuPont Engineering Polymers to create lightweight components in myriad, complex shapes with the stiffness of magnesium or aluminum and higher strength. Nanoparticles are not created at any stage in this manufacturing process. Under the agreement, DuPont Engineering Polymers, with global development, R&D and customer-support centers, will provide proprietary resin formulation and application development leadership to global customers to bring this innovative technology to market. PowerMetal will apply its nanotechnology expertise to the manufacture of extremely lightweight components with the strength and stiffness of metal combined with the design flexibility and lightweight benefits of DuPont Engineering Polymers high-performance thermoplastics. Other terms and conditions were not disclosed.