Tech
nology
nology
XL EXTRALIGHT®
Technology
Technology
Possible applications of XL EXTRALIGHT® technology and products
What is XL EXTRALIGHT®?
It is the productive outcome of an exclusive technological process that begins with the formulation of the source material and ends with the injection molding of the product, passing through the construction phase of the mold itself. XL EXTRALIGHT® combines low density with excellent physical-mechanical properties with a distinctive soft touch. The single most important attribute of XL EXTRALIGHT® is its lightness, a distinctive trait that the formulation of the material must respect. The compound, in fact, undergoes continual transformation in order to attain additional physical-mechanical properties, maintaining, clearly, its distinctive lightness.
What is the meaning of ingredient?
The closed-cell ingredient is the result obtained with a new polyolefin-based compound that has proved to be ideal for the production of cross-linked foam products via injection technology, thanks to research carried out in the Finproject laboratories on technological processes and creativity. The outcome is a closed-cell lightweight material that is resistant, flexible and shock-absorbing. Furthermore, it is shockproof, latex free, water, UV radiation and chlorine resistant etc.
How has XL EXTRALIGHT® evolved?
Starting from the know-how acquired in the footwear component industry, where XL EXTRALIGHT® took its first steps to then become a point of reference for the sector, technological research modified the DNA of XL EXTRALIGHT® transforming it from a "simple" EVA based foam into a "special" blend of polyolefins. Today, XL EXTRALIGHT® is a closed-cell material that is used to manufacture fashion products, foam design articles, interior design articles, and it also has found application in the automotive and wellness spa sectors, as well as in many others.
What does EVA based mean?
The EVA Ethylene Vinyl Acetate copolymer was the initial base material from which the compound XL EXTRALIGHT® originates for its lightness and other distinctive properties. On the one hand, its capacity for expansion in order to guarantee lightness, on the other that of being crosslinked to achieve the required final performance, has allowed EVA to be the reference material for injection molding. Over time, the original composition of the material has been modified, becoming highly specialized in order to widen the field of application of the ingredient XL EXTRALIGHT®, such that today, we can affirm that while XL EXTRALIGHT® originates from the EVA copolymer, its potential extends considerably well beyond.
Main characteristics of XL EXTRALIGHT®:
Lightness and comfort
Are the principal characteristics that define this material. Low density: (0,11-0,50 g/cm3), good physical and mechanical properties and excellent texture to the touch (20-50 on the Shore A hardness scale). XL EXTRALIGHT® is three times lighter than generic EVA and other materials with the same mechanical and physical properties.
Closed-cell material
XL EXTRALIGHT® is a closed-cell foam material so it does not absorb substances, external agents and it is resistant to the effect of chemical agents (like acid / alkaline). It is resistant to atmospheric agents, especially at low temperatures. Thanks to its closed-cell structure, XL EXTRALIGHT® can also be antibacterial (thanks to a special formulation)
Resistance
Another typical attribute of this material is its excellent water and UV radiation resistance, durability over time and color fastness (the Xenotest yields a Grey Scale rating of 7/8).
Versatility
Though XL EXTRALIGHT® is a foam material, it is extremely easy to transfer any kind of design onto its surface (imitation leather/ designs / logos). It can be injected in a vast range of colors selected from our color chart, or a new color can be created on request by our clients.
Flame resistance
Thanks to an ad hoc formulation it can be made fire -resistant where requested for special applications.
Environmental - friendliness
The entire production cycle of XL EXTRALIGHT® is designed and engineered to limit production waste, using clean energy from proprietary photovoltaic systems. Every component of XL EXTRALIGHT® products is analyzed and tested following the highest safety standards, leading to a production of materials that are completely free of harmful solvents and heavy metals. This means that the compounds do not contain: heavy metals (lead, mercury, chromium, cadmium, nickel, antimony, arsenic) formaldehyde, phthalates, PAH (polyaromatic hydrocarbons), benzene, CFC (chlorofluorocarbons).