Transparent door screens for appliances

Looking for a material that could withstand harsh laundry detergent for its line of new-generation washers and dryers, Miele turned to Eastman Tritan™ copolyester for the appliances’ transparent door screens. Eastman Chemical Company recently launched into the whitegoods market with Tritan, providing brand owners with a long-lasting, chemical-resistant material option that provides the superior clarity and toughness consumers require. Tritan, a new-generation material that provides these attributes and more, is now being used, for the first time, on washer and dryer components. “As a company, we have high standards for product design and functionality, and our customers expect the same of our appliances,” said Gundula Wendrich, Head of Process Development Materials Technology at Miele. “In using Eastman Tritan™ copolyester for our newest whitegoods line, we not only meet both the customers’ aesthetic needs as well as functional needs for appliance components that can withstand harsh detergents, but also the safety needs imposed by EU harmonized standards for household and similar electrical appliance safety*.” The materials brand owners choose for their whitegoods can make all the difference. Premium materials provide thermal, mechanical and rheological characteristics necessary to create premium products that meet growing consumer needs. Using Eastman Tritan™ copolyester for whitegood components can help brand owners differentiate their products from others on the market. Tritan can be used in appliances for trays and ice storage in refrigerators; front-loading washers and dryers’ transparent door screens and control panels; vacuum nozzles and accessories; and control panels and interior components in dishwashers. “Although whitegood performance is a major sales driver, consumers also want smart functionality and elegant design,” said Tessa Slagter, market development manager, Eastman Chemical Company. “Eastman Tritan™ copolyester provides the appearance and durability needed in such appliances, and its attributes make Tritan a sound option over many competitive materials, including polycarbonate, acrylic, ABS and glass.” Miele, among the leading manufacturers of premium domestic appliances headquartered in Germany, is the first company to use Eastman Tritan™ copolyester for whitegoods. With new regulations driving appliance manufacturers to use plastic door screens, family-owned Miele turned to Tritan for its new-generation washer and dryer line. Eastman Tritan™ copolyester provides premium chemical resistance and can stand up to the highly concentrated, anti-bacterial detergents consumers use on and in their whitegoods, which can cause poor product performance over time. In addition, Tritan provides excellent clarity, allowing consumers to easily see into their front-loading washers and dryers. The material is extremely tough and able to withstand the daily grind of repeated washing cycles. Tritan also provides functional aesthetics and colorability, and is free of bisphenol A and styrene. In addition to the high-quality attributes of Eastman Tritan™ copolyester, brand owners who use the material also receive ongoing support from Eastman’s technical team. This includes primary and secondary processing support, design reviews and product testing. *EU harmonized standards for the low voltage directive (2006/95/EC), specifically 60335-2-7, particular requirements for washing machines, and 60335-2-11, particular requirements for tumble dryers.