21 Dec 2004
AESTHETICS, WEATHERABILITY AND COST REDUCTION SOUNDS GOOD FOR SIRENS
SIRENA of Italy selects GELOY* XTW resin for its new SE 2 NDM model electronic siren
Cost reduction, weight savings, aesthetics and weatherability performance are key drivers in the selection of materials for electronic sirens.
In negotiating the balance between these diverse but interrelated demands, SIRENA chose GE Advanced Materials’ GELOY XTW resin as the optimal solution for the housing of its most recent line of electronic sirens for police, ambulance, fire brigade and other emergency service vehicles.
“GELOY XTW resin provides an ideal solution to the SIRENA SE 2 NMD, an outdoor application in which color and appearance play a key role. It has contributed to styling freedom and delivers durable, long-term performance in terms of high gloss and color retention. No less importantly, its molded-in color potential has allowed us to eliminate the production step, and associated cost of painting,” said Davide Garnerone, technical and production manager at SIRENA.
As a global supplier of electro-mechanical acoustic and visual warning devices, with a reputation for quality products built up over the course of 30 years in the business, SIRENA was clear on the set of performance criteria to be met by the new product line. Throughout their working life the externally mounted sirens are continuously exposed to the degrading effects of weather, temperature changes and the negative influence of UV light. These conditions adversely affect color and appearance thereby reducing the aesthetic presentation sought by customers.
“While we needed to consider a range of properties there was one essential characteristic that had to be met,” explained Garnerone, “The material had to deliver extended color retention to delay color differentiation from vehicle metal body panels.”
Working with GE Advanced Materials’ technical support staff to qualify materials, SIRENA chose GELOY XTW resin. A terpolymer, acrylic-styrene-acrylonitrile (ASA), GELOY XTW resin has been specifically developed to provide greater protection against the punishing effects of UV radiation than traditional ASAs and represents a technical breakthrough in weathering performance and physical property retention. GELOY XTW resin has been validated by the G26, SAE J1960 and QUV weathering tests.
SIRENA SpA manufactures acoustic warning devices, electronic sirens and rotating and flashing beacons for two main industries globally, the industrial sector, for automation, robotics, control panels, and EX-D signals; and the automotive sector for agricultural, earth moving, industrial priority and emergency vehicles. Further details are available at: www.sirena.it
Reader enquiries
GE PlasticsPlasticslaan 1
4600 AC Bergen op Zoom
Netherlands
Helen Vandebovenkamp
helen.vandebovenkamp@ge.com
Tel: +31 164 29 20 97
Fax: +31 164 29 10 66
Netherlands
Notes for editors
About GE Advanced Materials
GE Advanced Materials (https://www.geadvancedmaterials.com) is a world leader in providing materials solutions through engineering thermoplastics, silicon-based products and technology platforms, and fused quartz and ceramics. Among its businesses are:
• Plastics – which is a global plastics materials supplier and distributor, serving customers in a variety of industries including aerospace, appliances, automotive, building and construction, data storage and optical media, medical, electrical and electronics devices, telecommunications, computers and peripheral devices, outdoor vehicles and devices, and packaging (https://www.geplastics.com).
• Silicones – which includes GE Toshiba Silicones in the Pacific region and GE Bayer Silicones in Europe, offering silanes, specialty silicones, urethane additives, adhesives, sealants, resins, and elastomers for a variety of industries such as personal care, automotive, tire and rubber, construction, healthcare, electronics, household and institutional, agriculture, textiles, appliances, bedding and furnishings, foam control, and consumer (https://www.gesilicones.com).
• Quartz – which provides high-purity quartz and advanced ceramic materials for the semiconductor, telecommunications, lighting, electronics, personal care, water purification, and various other industries (https://www.gequartz.com).
GE (NYSE: GE) is a diversified technology, media, and financial services company dedicated to creating products that make life better. From aircraft engines and power generation to financial services, medical imaging, television programming, and plastics, GE operates in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's website at https://www.ge.com.
Editorial enquiries
Marianne Schouten
GE Advanced Materials
Brigitta de Vries
Marketing Solutions NV