Polymer Report

Gateway Manufacturing Company Material Assessment for Bumper Cover Donald McFarlane

Performance and viability study of three(3) possible materials for push-cart bumper cover. The materials reviewed in this assessment are; PVC (polyvinyl chloride), 6/6 Nylon (polyurethane), and Reinforced Rubber. The materials were rated on 4 properties and 6 production considerations. The properties rated are: Flexural Modulus, Elongation, Tensile Strength, and Shore Hardness. These are rated from 1 – 5 with 1 being the lowest. The production considerations are rated with the same scale and are; Ease of Assembly, Cost Effectiveness, Cosmetic (pigmentation, finish), Pliable, Durable, Source Availiblity. The following charts show the rankings and supplier based data for the properties. Material Polyurethane PVC Rubber

Flexural Modulus 275000 (2) 481000 (3) 800 (1)

Elongation 200 – 700 (1) 200 (2) 500 (2)

Tensile Strength 27 (1) 48 (2) 4500 (3)

Hardness (Shore) 84 (3) 68 (1) 75 (2)

Based on the above chart PVC is the top choice, with Rubber as a second choice. Accordingly the flexural modulus is the highest priority as we need the part to absorb impact and return to original shape. The hardness is the lowest priority as the impact force is minimal. Production considerations are of greater importance to this item as cost (final per unit cost) and assembly (line speed and repair times) are important. Due to similarities of the three (3) materials in sourcing availability (how easily it can be produced and number of sources we can purchase from), durability (how well the material handles normal wear), and cosmetics( ability to be colored and accept different finished), these considerations are not used in the final selection. Material Polyurethane PVC Rubber

Ease of Assembly 2 3 2

Cost to produce 2 2 1

Pliability 1 2 4

Final 5 7 7

Based on this data PVC and Rubber have equal final results. As the ease of assembly directly affects the cost and repair ability of this product it is given greater impact on the final selection. The Rubber is the most flexible choice as its properties can be changed with the

Final 7 9 8

infusion of different binder materials. The addition of binders affect the cost and availability. Also the color choices are limited by the binder and darker colors. Based on the above data I feel that we should use PVC for this part. Suppliers for this both as raw material (pellets) and ready-to-assemble part are readily available. I will list two (2) sources for both forms of this material that can provide us a steady supply based on our projected needs. RAW PVC: MIDPOINT CHEMICALS COMPANY Address :Entry Drive Bensenville, Illinois Tel: 1 - 630 - 7580400 Fax: 1 - 630 - 7581773 EMAIL ADDRESS: [email protected] Homepage www.ec21.com/midpointchemicals Almaida Chemicals, LLC 1582 NW 108th Ave Miami, FL 33172 Tel:1-305-436-5759 Fax:1-305-436-8979 EMAIL ADDRESS: [email protected] Homepage: http://www.almaidachemicals.com/index_english.htm

Finished Materials: POLY ONE

33587 Walker Road Avon Lake OH 44012 Telephone: +1 440 930 1000 or +1 866 POLYONE Fax: 440 930 3799 Shintech Inc.

#3 Greenway Plaza, Suite 1150, Houston, Texas 77046, U.S.A.

+1-713-965-0713