Technical Note

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Technical Note 1:

Advantages of Polyethylene over ABS Plastic

SL-Spar Buoy Series_V1.0 SL-B1428

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2

Technical Note 1:

SL-LED Series_V2.0

The Sealite Advantage

Buoy

Manufacturing: Advantages of Polyethylene over ABS Plastic

Polyethylene from Sealite ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) from

Other Manufacturers

Process Rotationally molded polyethylene is

poured into a mold then spun on a

rotational molding machine for

uniform thickness.

Sheets of plastic are vacuum formed or

heated to form the desired buoy shape.

Construction No seams anywhere; all Sealite

products are molded as single pieces

for uniform strength.

Seams are evident where the sheets of

plastic are joined together, creating

potential weak spots when joined.

Materials No toxic chemicals or heavy metals

are ever used in the manufacture

of any of Sealite's rotationally made

products. Sealite is an environmentally

conscious company; you can return

your buoys to Sealite for recycling

once they've reached the end of their

service life!

ABS may require the use of toxic

(to humans) chemicals to increase the

impact strength and to maintain the

ability to form into shape.

Moisture and water particles run off

the surface of polyethylene.

As a hydroscopic material, moisture and

water particles can be absorbed into the

ABS.

Chemical

Resistance

Polyethylene is exceptional in its

chemical resistance to fuels, oils, and

other human by-products which are

disposed in the water. That's why

Sealite buoys provide a long service

life.

ABS is able to achieve its chemical

resistancy…after it has the toxic

Butadiene added to it.

Moisture Resistance Polyethylene is classed as polyolen

material which exhibits an extremely

high level of moisture resistance.

ABS is moisture resistant…when you add

toxic ingredients to it. As a hygroscopic

material, moisture and water particles will

absorb into the material.

Non-Marine Uses Surgical implants and surgical tubing,

etc.

Automotive trim, (small) appliances

like toast-r-ovens and coffee makers,

and other applications and products

that require heat resistance and ame

retardancy.

UV-Stabilization &

Color Stability

Only Sealite adds a UV stabilizing

compound to both the polyethylene

and coloring agents, providing

additional protection from the

degrading effects of UV exposure.

UV stabilizer added (often times upon

request only) to ABS. ABS materials with

high levels of butadiene can be difcult

to compound colors into.

Filling Closed cell polyurethane foam means

any potential water ingress will not

permeate the foams' closed cells,

allowing for a longer, more buoyant

product should the buoy sustain

damage.

Regular foam lling can become

saturated if a buoy is punctured, allowing

water to penetrate and saturate each

cell, adding weight and adding to the

risk of submergance.

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Technical Note 1:

SL-LED Series_V2.0

3

ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)

from Other Manufacturers

Polyethylene from Sealite

Rotational molding - Sealite Factory

It's easy to tell when the buoy you're passing is NOT from Sealite!

Other Manufacturer

Sealite Product

© 2017 Sealite Pty Ltd

Sealite Pty Ltd

11 Industrial Drive,

Somerville Vic 3912

AUSTRALIA

t: +61(0)3 5977 6128

f: +61(0)3 5977 6124

Sealite Asia Pte Ltd

8 Wilkie Road

#03-01, Wilkie Edge

SINGAPORE 22809

t: +65 (0) 6829 2243

f: +65 (0) 6829 2253

Sealite United Kingdom Ltd

11 Pinbush Road

Lowestoft Suffolk NR33 7NL

UNITED KINGDOM

t: +44 (0) 1502 588026

f: +44 (0) 1502 588047

Sealite USA, LLC

61 Business Park Drive

Tilton New Hampshire 03276

USA

t: +1 (603) 737 1311

f: +1 (603) 737 1320

w: www.sealite.com

e: info@sealite.com