New drums
01 April 2005
New Drum Generation from Schütz Has Some Convincing Properties
The new six-layer extrusion blow-moulding, or security layer technology greatly increases potential
Selters / Düsseldorf. With regard to its ongoing development work, Schütz GmbH & Co. KGaA in future intends to focus on increasing its efforts in the field of plastic drums. At Interpack, the Westerwald-based company presents a completely new product generation, the property profiles of which greatly expand the previous range of applications. An important driving force behind the new developments was the six-layer extrusion blow-moulding, or security layer technology, developed by Schütz for containers and drums, which was also on show at the trade fair in Düsseldorf.
A particular highlight among the new products on display is the F1 tight-head drum, for which a brand-new material has been developed in close collaboration with Basell, the leading producer of polyolefins. The property profile of this drum makes it superior in every way to those made with conventional materials.
Thanks to its high density, the new Hostalen® Histif 5431 Z from Basell is positively ideal for use in the F1 drum and is equally excellent for processing using the security layer technology from Schütz.
The drum combines lower material input with far better performance than conventional tight-head drums. All in all, its low-temperature impact strength, greatly improved resistance to stacking pressure and tremendous stress-cracking resistance make it a convincing development. Schütz successfully carried out low-temperature drop tests up to three metres, a sensational height for drums. The optimised geometry of the top plate additionally provides greater protection for the two corrugations.
Schütz is also setting a new trend with the drum versions SDS-2 and OCL. What’s so special about them? These open-head drum models are produced complete with lid in one extrusion blow-moulding process and from a single material. This guarantees the drum’s absolute sort purity – an aspect which plays a significant role with regard to filling goods and applications as well as to recycling options. The process also permits maximum flexibility of lid execution (sealed/with corrugations) as well as simplified process technology and production processes.
The drums of the new product generation from Schütz come both as electrostatically conductive models (including conductive contact strips to the filling goods) for use in ex-zones 1 and 2 and with an EVOH barrier. This blow-moulded barrier prevents the permeation of oxygen and non-polar media through the drum wall. The products are therefore ideal for use in a wide range of applications spanning the food and chemical industries.
