Owner Manual

8. Materials used
PLASTICS
Primary chemical and physical characteristics
of the materials used in manufacturing Kartell
products. Plastics are organic materials created
by man. Their technological and physical
characteristics are determined by polymers,
in which one or more types of monomers are
joined to form a molecule. Plastics can be
divided into two major groups based on their
chemical and technological performance:
Thermoplastic and thermosetting In recent years,
technological research has made it possible
to create increasingly sophisticated materials,
whose performance and physical appearance
are unlike that of what we generally consider as
being "plastic". These types of plastic contain
not only polymers, but also additives, fillers
and reinforcements which give them better
physical, chemical, mechanical or processability
properties. These are called composite materials or
technopolymers.
THERMOPLASTICS
Thermoplastics are formed by resins which can
be made more elastic through heating or harder
through cooling. The temperature values depend
on each individual resin. They are composed of
numerous interwoven independent molecular
chains. When heated, these chains slide,
enabling the plastic to flow. When cooled, they
become hard again. Many thermoplastics are
used in the production of Kartell products, and
are almost always mixed with other materials to
enhance their performance, thereby becoming
thermoplastic technopolymers. The main
thermoplastics used are Polyolefins, the best
known of which are PE (Polythene or Polyethylene)
and PP (Polypropylene), ABS (Acrylonitrile,
Butadiene, Styrene), PS (Polystyrene), PMMA
(Polymethylmethacrylate), PA (Polyamide) and PC
(polycarbonate). Their main characteristics:
Polyolefins
Polypropylene and polyethylene are thermoplastic
polymers belonging to the family of polyolefins:
Polyolefins are high molecular weight
hydrocarbons. They include low-density (LDPE),
linear low-density (LLDPE) and high-density
polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP) and
polymethylpenthene (PMP or TPX). Polyolefins are
break-resistant, non-toxic and non-contaminating
materials These are the only plastics lighter than
water. They easily withstand exposure to nearly all
chemicals. They are easy to color and modify to
create specific alloys, using minerals like talc, as
required for the product.
Polypropylene (PP) is lightweight, translucent and
strong. It has excellent mechanical and chemical
resistance (it has no known solvent at room
temperature). It’s weather resistant, so it can be
used to create products for outdoor use. Thanks
to its features and its warm and soft physical
appearance, polypropylene is particularly suitable
for manufacturing chairs.
Polyethylene (PE) is a chemically inert plastic.
It has no known solvent at room temperature;
aggressive solvents will cause softening and
swelling, but these effects are usually reversible.
acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS)
ABS polymers are a single technopolymer family.
The name comes from the first letter of the three
monomers composing them:
• Acrylonitrile (A) provides thermal resistance
to aging;
• Butadiene (B) helps maintain properties
at low temperatures, technical resistance,
and impact resistance;
• Styrene (S) gives shine, solidity and
ease of processing.
By varying the proportions of the three
components, a wide variety of types of ABS
can be created for a wide variety of uses: in the
automobile sector, office equipment, electrical
and electronic products, appliances, and naturally,
furniture. ABS are resistant to high temperatures,
chemical compounds and ageing, and are solid
and impact resistant. They can be given high,
medium and low (matte) gloss surface finishes and
are easy to color. However, some types of ABS
are sensitive to certain chemical compounds and
solvents. Therefore, the anti-cracking properties
need to be assessed for each application. ABS
aren't generally weather resistant. If the material
is not protected, it may fade and become brittle.
They are used for most traditional Kartell articles,
such as round and square elements and modular
bookshelves.
Polystyrene (PS)
PS is the result of styrene polymerization. It is
a rigid and non-toxic polymer with excellent
dimensional stability and good chemical resistance
to water-based solutions but limited resistance
to solvents. It is ideal for products such as
waste baskets and office articles. It is used in its
so-called “aesthetic” version for its good surface
appearance. It is also used as HIPS (scratch-
resistant polystyrene), with added rubber to make
it scratch resistant.
Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)
Polymethylmethacrylate has high aesthetic and
functional qualities. It is transparent, solid and
weather resistant. Acrylic resins are used to make
all transparent products, including in the furniture
sector. So-called "plastic rubbers" can be added
to improve their resistance properties, making it
impact resistant. Antonio Citterio's Mobil drawers
are made of this special combination.
Polyamide Nylon Resins (PA6)
This is a group of linear polymers with repeated
amide linkages along the back-bone. These are
produced through the polymerization of amino
acids. Nylon is strong and tough, abrasion, impact
and wear resistant. Numerous fillers can be added
to improve its features. It is used for clothes stand
bases or Oxo trolley supporting frames, parts
which support weights
Polycarbonates (PC)
Polycarbonate refers to a thermoplastic polymer.
When producing objects using this material, the
polycarbonate is melted and injected under high
pressure into a mold, to give it the desired shape.
There are two principal processes for producing
articles with polycarbonate:
• Extrusion: here, the polymer is heated, then
injected into a die with the shape of the final
product. This process is used to manufacture
pipes, sheets and profiles
• Injection molding: here, the polymer in granular
form is heated, injected into a mold, then cooled,
giving it the shape of the final product. This is the
most commonly used process for objects in a
variety of sectors.
The advantages of polycarbonate
Polycarbonate:
• has excellent mechanical, thermal and electrical
properties
• has high resistance to fire and impacts, and high
elasticity
• is easy to recycle and process
These characteristics make this material ideal
for a variety of applications: from automobiles to
packaging to appliances to consumer products.
Kartell was a pioneer in the sector, demonstrating
polycarbonate's many applications in the furniture
sector as well.
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
PVC's structure is similar to polyethylene, but
contains atoms of chlorine. The chlorine atom
makes PVC vulnerable to some solvents but
also more resistant in many applications (PVC
has a considerable resistance to oils and a very
low permeability to gases). Polyvinyl chloride is
transparent with a slightly bluish tint, and can be
colored in a vast range of tones.
Styrene Acrylonitrile (SAN)
Styrene Acrylonitrile belongs to the family of
styrenes, and is one of the best in terms of
mechanical characteristics. SAN is rigid and hard,