Durastar® Polymer Used To Launch New “Sit & Move” Chairs

Furniture World Magazine

Sitland, a leading Italian manufacturer of office furniture, recently launched a new range of “Sit & Move” chairs that use “silent” rubber blocks to allow various parts of the chair to move with the body. Sitland chose Eastman Chemical Company’s DuraStar® polymer to produce all the plastic components of the system. It was the only material among numerous plastics tested, including acrylic and polycarbonate, to satisfy all the design requirements. The chairs are designed by Enrico Cionada and manufactured on Sitland’s Arte’s production line. They are stackable, making them attractive for use in public or concert halls. Launched in Europe early in 2001, DuraStar polymer features an impressive range of properties, which were identified by commercial and logistical specialist company Commerciale Isola as ideal for this innovative and challenging application. Of particular importance was the excellent chemical resistance of the polymer, which was not attacked by any cleaning agent tested. It also showed perfect stability in contact with the rubber of the silent blocks, while other transparent plastics experienced stress-cracking problems. Mechanically, the material’s impact properties give it high resistance, while its moderate tensile modulus allows flexibility beneficial for the user’s comfort. Its mechanical properties also make it possible to drill two holes in the plastic base of the chairs during assembly with no risk of breakage. Aesthetically, DuraStar polymer is an extremely clear, glossy material, which highlights the purity of the design and aids the maintenance of a long-term like new appearance, thanks to its good scratch resistance. Any scratches that may occur are easily removed using a heat gun. Presented for the first time at the Salone del Mobile exhibition, this new concept enjoyed immediate success with an important first order for a prestigious museum in St. Petersburg, Russia. The material has now been specified for use in other transparent components for chairs and tables in the Sitland collection. DuraStar polymer is readily available worldwide and is being used in industries such as medical devices, toys, pens, displays, fashion accessories and electrical parts. It is FDA approved and complies with the European regulations for contact with food. Moulding company Vivi (Arzignano, Italy) demonstrated its technical expertise during the development of this project and in the injection moulding of the challenging plastic parts involved. Sitland has been manufacturing quality products for 25 years, offering innovative detailed office furniture systems that blend human creativity with the latest materials technology. Sitland strives to lead the industry by designing systems that are challenging and different yet successful. Eastman Chemical Company, headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, U.S.A., manufactures and markets plastics, chemicals and fibers worldwide with 2001 sales of US$5.4 billion. The quality systems of all Eastman plastics are registered under ISO 9000 except at plants in operation less than one year.