Document MGeBzxyb7RJGo1LdvnmrG4pdz

Conoco TECHNICAL INFORMATION Commercial Compound Processing Trends in Vinyl Window Production Headquarter) Conoco Chemical) Company A Division of Conoco Inc. 15990 N. Barken Landing Road P.O. Box 19029 Houston. TX 77224 (713)531-3200 TELEX 794557 TWX 9IM8I-7329 Domestic Sale Office Eastern Region Park U Plaza East Saddle Brook. NJ 07662 (201) 845-3800 TWX 710 990-5123 Midwestern Region Suite No. 120 2222 Catnden Court Oak Braolt. IL 60521 (312)655-7070 TWX 910 651-0210 Southwestern Region Allied Bank Building 6161 Savoy P.O. Box 2197 Houston. TX 77252 (713) 965-5117 TELEX 775347 Western Region Smokcitee Plaza 1450 N. Tustin. Suite 100 Santa Ana. CA 92701 (714) 541-8449 TWX 910 595-1949 Intcraadauai Sale Office Conoco Chemicals Latin America S.A 15990 N. Barken Landing Road P.O. Box 19029 Houston. TX 77224 (713)531-3200 TELEX 794557 Conoco Chemicals Europe, S.A. Conoco Incorporated Rue Joseph Stevens 7 Bnisseh 1000. Belgium Telephone; (32-2) 513-7490 TELEX: 24727 Cable: CONOCHEM. Brussels Conoco Chemicals Far East. Incorporated P.O. Box 110 Kssumigueki Building (25th Floor) Tokyo. Japan 100 Tel: (81-3) 5934)611 TELEX: J29368 Cable: CONOCHEM Tkvo DTH 000119987 Conoco Chemicals --........................ * -- Conoco TECHNICAL INFORMATION Commercial Compound Processing Trends in Vinyl Window Production Introduction In the summer of 1983. Conoco Chemicals Company contracted with the market research consulting firm. Thomas Research. Houston. Texas, for the gathering of in-depth information on processing equipment and product requirements for rigid PVC window profile compounds. A questionnaire was developed to survey PVC window producers who processed industry-supplied rigid PVC compound, either in pellet or powder form. Product requirements included quantity, color, gloss, impact strength, transportation, and weatherability for both profiles and windows. A cost-benefit tradeoff analysis was incorporated in the ques tionnaire to produce a true picture of actual requirements. Compiled, this information defines current market requirements for compound and identifies emerging trends. Specific conclusions of the questionnaire have been applied by Conoco Chemicals Company to its RP200 Window Profile Dryblend Program. While individual responses remain confidential general information and trends are provided here, offering insight into the future of window profile com pound development. Dryblend vs. Pellets Of new extrusion equipment purchases planned for 1984, the survey showed that over two-thirds will be for dryblend processing. Dryblend is typically processed on twin screw extrusion equipment. As in the PVC pipe and the PVC siding industries, PVC window profile extrusion companies are realizing the cost of pelletizing rigid PVC is an unnecessary cost. The survey indicated that dryblend processing is increasing through both the addition of new com panies entering the market and new equipment at existing companies. Color and Gloss Even though the blue-toned white color has dominated the U.S. PVC window market for years, sur vey respondents showed a growing interest in removing the blue toning agent and thereby reducing raw materials cost. The resulting color would be a white, deriving its color from titanium' dioxide, an ultraviolet light screen, important in weatherability. This color has been the predominant white in West German PVC windows for 20 years. The respondents did not indicate any clear market preference for high, low or medium gloss. High gloss was preferred by 38 percent of the respondents, low gloss was preferred by 46 percent and a medium gloss was preferred by 16 percent. Those preferring high gloss said its clean and shiny appearance was valuable as a selling tool. Those preferring low gloss cited its ability to hide finger prints and din smudges. The low gloss advocates faulted high gloss because of fading within 12 months. The survey indicated that a compound which would produce a medium gloss, with process ing adjustability for high and low gloss, should satisfy most processors'demands. Percent 48 40 Low Gloss 32 24 16 8 Medium Close 0 Respondents* Gloss Preference DTH 000119988 Ninety-two percent of the respondents indicated a minimum 10 percent level of titanium dioxide additive in compound was necessary to minimize color change due to weather exposure. The proportion of brown windows flight, dark, beige) in the respondents' product lines is expected to increase significantly within the next two years. In some cases, respondents said brown windows will comprise as much as 25 percent of a total product line. Impact Strength Maximizing impact strength was reported by all to be critical in fabrication (punching, drilling, saw ing. etc.). The necessary ductility of the lineal could be obtained from a nonimpact-modified com pound. if the compound was processed correctly to obtain the properly fused product However, the appropriate processing margin for a nonimpact-modified compound was reported to be extremely narrow, and thus most respondents desired an impact-modified taw material. Ninety-two percent of the respondents indicated the need for medium-to-high (maximum efficiency) levels of the expensive impact modifier in the compounds they used. These levels would widen pro cessing latitudes and reduce the amount of scrap resulting from brittle profiles during fabrication. Summary The major conclusions drawn from this project are as follows: PVC window profiles will be produced from dryblend. typically processed on twin screw extrusion equipment, and the current PVC window market overwhelmingly requires high raw material quality. The increasing preference for dryblend processing is shown by the percentage of new dryblend pro cessing equipment purchases and the growing awareness that pelletizing dryblend prior to processing is an unnecessary cost. The high raw material quality requirements arc exhibited through the willing ness of the processors to pay for high levels of titanium dioxide and impact modifier. both expensive additives. Respectively, these additives will contribute to the in-use performance of the window via good weatherability and the efficiency in fabrication through lower breakage scrap rates. PVC windows produced from high-quality dryblend will be both cost competitive and satisfactorily performing products in the 1980s. If you have any questions or comments, please contact your Conoco Chemicals Company Representative. THE DATA CONTAINED HEREIN ARE FOR GENERAL INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. PLEASE REFER TO THE CONOCO CHEMICALS COMPANY MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET FOR SPECIFIC, COMPLETE INFORMATION REGARDING THIS PRODUCT.