Britek SA's Transducer Housings Are Made from
2-Inch-Diameter Rod of Solvay's KetaSpire® PEEK Resin

Large-Diameter, Carbon Fiber-Reinforced PEEK Rod Resists Cracking
Due to Material's High Elongation and Toughness

ALPHARETTA, Ga., October 14, 2009 – New ultrasound transducer housings from Britek SA, Inc., San Antonio, Texas, are made of large-diameter, 30% carbon fiber-reinforced polyetheretherketone (PEEK) rod from Drake Plastics Ltd. Co., Cypress, Texas, for high strength and outstanding heat and chemical resistance. The 2-inch diameter rod, made of KetaSpire® KT-820 CF30 PEEK from Solvay Advanced Polymers, LLC, resists cracking due to the material’s high elongation and toughness. Ultrasound transducer housings made of PEEK rod withstand the harsh operating conditions found in inspection tools used to detect flaws and cracks in pipelines used in the petrochemical industry.

KetaSpire KT-820 CF30 is a 30% carbon fiber-reinforced grade that delivers an optimum balance of broad chemical resistance, ease of processing, and excellent mechanical performance. Another important benefit is a very low coefficient of linear thermal expansion (CLTE) that closely matches that of additional transducer components made of other materials. This prevents distortion and damage to the piezoelectric crystal inside the housing, according to Ken Briers, president of Britek SA.

KetaSpire PEEK rod shapes extruded by Drake Plastics exhibit minimal residual stress and can be reliably machined to very tight tolerances. Rods with 0.125 to 2.0-inch diameters are produced at Drake Research Ltd., also located in San Antonio, a Drake Plastics facility that specializes in production of PEEK parts and shapes. The company is also pursuing PEEK rod shapes above a 2-inch diameter.

About Drake Plastics Ltd. Co.
Founded in 1997, Drake Plastics Ltd. Co. is a leading manufacturer of extruded shapes and machined and molded parts made of Solvay Advanced Polymers’ Torlon® polyamide-imide (PAI) and KetaSpire PEEK for aerospace, industrial, semiconductor, and military applications.
Torlon PAI provides the highest strength and stiffness of any thermoplastic up to 275°C (527°F), along with superior resistance to chemicals, creep, and wear. Rod shapes with up to 5.5-inch diameter, Seamless Tube® shapes up to 6.2-inch diameter, and plate stock up to 1.35-inch thickness are available.
Drake supplies rod made of unfilled, glass fiber filled, and carbon fiber filled KetaSpire PEEK ranging from 0.125-2.0 inch diameters. Plate stock in 0.25-inch and 0.375-inch thicknesses and 3.5-inch widths is also available. For more information, contact (281) 255-6855 or www.DrakePlastics.com

About Britek SA Inc.
Britek SA Inc., headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, is a leading manufacturer of ultrasonic transducer products including thickness gauge, flaw detection, and nuclear transducers. For more information, contact (210) 256-7500 or briteksa@aol.com.

About Solvay Advanced Polymers
Solvay Advanced Polymers, LLC produces more plastics with more performance than any other company in the world. This gives design engineers worldwide more ways to solve top design challenges in automotive, medical, electronics, aerospace and other demanding industries.

Solvay is an international chemical and pharmaceutical Group with headquarters in Brussels. Its companies employ more than 28,000 people in 50 countries. In 2008, its consolidated sales amounted to EUR 9.5 billion, generated by its three sectors of activity: Plastics, Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals. Solvay (NYSE Euronext: SOLB.BE - Bloomberg: SOLB.BB - Reuters: SOLB.BR) is listed on the NYSE Euronext stock exchange in Brussels.


For further information please view the listing for Solvay Polymers on the plasticsportal.co.za

Contact Details

Solvay Polymers and Chemicals South Africa (Pty) Ltd