HIGH PERFORMANCE CLEAR THERMOPLASTICS ELASTOMER Jiren Gu , Tom Castile and Krishna Venkataswamy GLS Corporation 833 Ridgeview Dr., McHenry, IL 60050 Abstract High performance clear TPE products are developed to replace silicone and PVC in various medical and personnel care applications. Styrene Block Copolymer (SBC) is a TPE that combine the processing characteristic of thermoplastics and physical properties of vulcanized rubbers. SBC compound is thermoplastics and can be recycled, which results in additional saving in processing cost compared with thermset silicone.

I want to highlight our Specialty Engineered Materials segment which is overcoming continued weakness in with gains in composites and wire and cable applications.  We have invested heavily in composites over the last few years and are now delivering with multiple new business wins."

Carbon Fiber Fiber-Line Engineered Fibers - Products & Applications Carbon Fiber

Examples include: • Barrier technologies that preserve the shelf-life and quality of food, beverages, medicine and other perishable goods through high- performance materials that require less plastic • Light-weighting solutions that replace heavier traditional materials like metal, glass and wood, which can improve fuel efficiency in all modes of transportation • Breakthrough technologies that minimize wastewater, improve the recyclability of materials and advance a circular economy • Composite solutions to support accelerated growth of 5G / fiber-optic infrastructure investment as the world demands greater and faster connectivity Avient employs approximately 9,100 associates and is certified ACC Responsible Care® and a founding member of the Alliance to End Plastic Waste. Operational Excellence Empowers us to respond to the voice of the customer with relentless continuous improvement. We will do so though our investments and focus on sustainable solutions for high-growth markets, including healthcare, consumer, packaging and composites/5G.

Examples include: • Barrier technologies that preserve the shelf-life and quality of food, beverages, medicine and other perishable goods through high- performance materials that require less plastic • Light-weighting solutions that replace heavier traditional materials like metal, glass and wood, which can improve fuel efficiency in all modes of transportation • Breakthrough technologies that minimize wastewater, improve the recyclability of materials and advance a circular economy • Composite solutions to support accelerated growth of 5G / fiber-optic infrastructure investment as the world demands greater and faster connectivity Avient employs approximately 9,100 associates and is certified ACC Responsible Care® and a founding member of the Alliance to End Plastic Waste. Operational Excellence Empowers us to respond to the voice of the customer with relentless continuous improvement. We will do so though our investments and focus on sustainable solutions for high-growth markets, including healthcare, consumer, packaging and composites/5G.

These materials combine the performance of select engineering resins with reinforcing additives, such as carbon powder, carbon fiber, nickel-coated carbon fiber and stainless steel fiber, for low-to-high levels of conductivity depending upon application requirements. PROBLEM CAUSE SOLUTION Incomplete Fill Melt and/or mold temperature too cold Mold design Shot Size • Increase nozzle and barrel temperatures • Increase mold temperature • Increase injection speed • Increase pack and hold pressure • Increase nozzle tip diameter • Check thermocouples and heater bands • Enlarge or widen vents and increase number of vents • Check that vents are unplugged • Check that gates are unplugged • Enlarge gates and/or runners • Perform short shots to determine fill pattern and verify proper vent location • Increase wall thickness to move gas trap to parting line • Increase shot size • Increase cushion Brittleness Melt temperature too low Degraded/Overheated material Gate location and/or size • Increase melt temperature • Increase injection speed • Measure melt temperature with pyrometer • Decrease melt temperature • Decrease back pressure • Use smaller barrel/excessive residence time • Relocate gate to nonstress area • Increase gate size to allow higher flow speed and lower molded-in stress Fibers on Surface (Splay) Melt temperature too low Insufficient packing • Increase melt temperature • Increase mold temperature • Increase injection speed • Increase pack and hold pressure, and time • Increase shot size • Increase gate size Sink Marks Part geometry too thick Melt temperature too hot Insufficient material volume • Reduce wall thickness • Reduce rib thickness • Decrease nozzle and barrel temperatures • Decrease mold temperature • Increase shot size • Increase injection rate • Increase packing pressure • Increase gate size Flash Injection pressure too high Excess material volume Melt and/or mold temperature too hot • Decrease injection pressure • Increase clamp pressure • Decrease injection speed • Increase transfer position • Decrease pack pressure • Decrease shot size • Decrease injection speed • Decrease nozzle and barrel temperatures • Decrease mold temperature • Decrease screw speed TROUBLESHOOTING RECOMMENDATIONS PROBLEM CAUSE SOLUTION Excessive Shrink Too much orientation • Increase packing time and pressure • Increase hold pressure • Decrease melt temperature • Decrease mold temperature • Decrease injection speed • Decrease screw rpm • Increase venting • Increase cooling time Not Enough Shrink Too little orientation • Decrease packing pressure and time • Decrease hold pressure • Increase melt temperature • Increase mold temperature • Increase injection speed • Increase screw rpm • Decrease cooling time Burning Melt and/or mold temperature too hot Mold design Moisture • Decrease nozzle and barrel temperatures • Decrease mold temperature • Decrease injection speed • Clean, widen and increase number of vents • Increase gate size or number of gates • Verify material is dried at proper conditions Nozzle Drool Nozzle temperature too hot • Decrease nozzle temperature • Decrease back pressure • Increase screw decompression • Verify material has been dried at proper conditions Weld Lines Melt front temperatures too low Mold design • Increase pack and hold pressure • Increase melt temperature • Increase vent width and locations • Increase injection speed • Increase mold temperature • Decrease injection speed • Increase gate size • Perform short shots to determine fill pattern and verify proper vent location • Add vents and/or false ejector pin • Move gate location Warp Excessive orientation Mold design • Increase cooling time • Increase melt temperature • Decrease injection pressure and injection speed • Increase number of gates Sticking in Mold Cavities are overpacked Mold design Part is too hot • Decrease injection speed and pressure • Decrease pack and hold pressure • Decrease nozzle and barrel temperatures • Decrease mold temperature • Increase cooling time • Increase draft angle • Decrease nozzle and barrel temperatures • Decrease mold temperature • Increase cooling time TROUBLESHOOTING RECOMMENDATIONS www.avient.com Copyright © 2020, Avient Corporation.

Versaflex HC - Syringe Plunger - English SYRINGE MANUFACTURER D I S P O S A B L E S Y R I N G E P L U N G E R • USP VI and ISO 10993-4,5 compliant • Sterilize by gamma & EtO • Long-term sealing performance • Low coefficient of friction (COF) • Consistent performance across barrel sizes • Provided a formulated solution that met rigorous medical application requirements • Improved global supply continuity • Increased process efficiency by replacing previous thermoset material with TPE Versaflex™ HC 2110-57B KEY REQUIREMENTS WHY AVIENT? https://www.avient.com/products/thermoplastic-elastomers/versaflex-thermoplastic-elastomers

5G Fiber Optic Cables To achieve accessibility in low density areas, providers need cable technology to easily deploy fiber to the home (FTTH) networks. Fiber-Line™ Fiber Optic Cable solutions enhance the performance and prolong the life of FOC with water blocking yarns, strength members, and ripcords, enabling cable manufacturers to optimize slimmer, stronger, cables at longer aerial spans with lower tension—critical for rural FTTH networks.

WHY FIBER-LINE® STRENGTH MEMBERS? POPULAR COATED STRENGTH MEMBERS MOVING HIGH PERFORMANCE FIBERS FORWARD LOCATIONS Headquarters, R&D, Manufacturing FIBER-LINE® LLC 3050 Campus Drive Hatfield, PA 19440 +1 215.997.9181 fiber@fiber-line.com Manufacturing Operations FIBER-LINE® LLC 280 Performance Drive SE Hickory, NC 28602 +1 828.326.8700 fiber@fiber-line.com EMEA & Asia Pacific Operations FIBER-LINE® INTERNATIONAL B.V. We believe that our ongoing commitment to protect the environment, to remain at the forefront of fiber and coating technology, and to ‘treat others as we want to be treated’ will continue to drive the success of our customers, shareholders, and employees.

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