Unique -From Everyday to Outer Space-
Stories Connected by Acrylic - From Everyday Life to the Universe
Transparent, shiny, and able to take shape exactly as desired - acrylic is a material that has become a familiar part of our lives.
But its activities are not limited to key chains and signs.
From everyday items to the forefront of science, radiation detection and protection, and, in the future, outer space - the future is here.
Why don't you take a peek at such a "Cinderella story of materials" and see where it leads? There are many faces of acrylics hidden in the world that we have not yet discovered.
An Acrylic Story That Starts with Your Favorite Characters: COMOGLAS™ DA P2
COMOGLAS™ DA P2 boasts a transparency of over 92% and Weatherability that does not fade outdoors.
Acrylic key holders, character stands, event panels... These materials bring out the best in your favorite characters and designs.
Cutting, shaving, printing, and any other processing is smooth. Even the smallest design details can be expressed as they are.
The strength of this material is that you can keep your favorite characters and logos in vivid color long after the event is over.
And this "power to show" and "power to last" is actually useful in the more professional world.
COMOGLAS™ DA P2 Features and Applications
High transparency: Visible light transmittance of 92% or higher, faithfully reproduces printed and painted colors
High Weatherability: Resistant to yellowing and fading for more than 5 years outdoors
Processing suitability: Various molding processes such as laser cutting, printing, bending, etc. are possible.
Impact resistance: Approximately 1.5 times stronger than general PMMA
Applications: Acrylic key holders, animation goods, POP displays, sign boards, exhibition fixtures, outdoor panels, etc.
Seeing Radiation: PSF (Plastic Scintillating Fiber)
PSF is a special fiber that emits light when exposed to radiation. The structure consists of a polystyrene core containing a fluorescent agent and covered with a PMMA cladding, which efficiently transmits light at the instant the particles pass through it. Used by research institutions around the world for particle physics experiments, neutrino research, and medical imaging equipment. It is also used as an important detection element in the LHCb experiment at CERN. Once you have a PSF that "sees" radiation, the next thing you need is a material that "prevents" radiation.
PSF (Plastic Scintillating Fiber)
Its formal name is Plastic Scintillating Fiber. This fiber emits light when radiation (particles) passes through it and delivers the light to the detector.
Core: Polystyrene + Fluorescent agent
Cladding: PMMA (acrylic)
Main applications: Used worldwide for particle physics and astrophysics experiments.
It has excellent long-term stability and machining accuracy, and enables extremely sensitive optical design.
Since its development in the 1980s, it has continued to be supplied worldwide, and in 2020 received the "Technology Special Award" from the Japan Chemical Industry Association.
Radiation Protection: KYOWAGLAS-XA™ Lead Acrylic Resin Sheet
KYOWAGLAS-XA™ Lead Acrylic Resin Sheet is a special acrylic that maintains transparency of at least 80% while providing shielding performance comparable to lead sheet. Protects both safety and visibility in medical X-ray rooms and radiation facilities. If PSF is the "eye" that sees radiation, XA is the "shield" that stops it.
It also has high impact resistance and workability, and supports safety measures for facilities. This technology is now moving into an even more demanding arena. And the technology to "withstand harsh environments" will lead to an even more distant stage - outer space.
Features and Applications of KYOWAGLAS-XA™ Lead Acrylic Resin Sheet
Transparency: The transparent board ensures visibility and safety in radiation generating environments.
Shielding: High radiation shielding and a wide variety of grades allow you to choose the lead equivalent for your application.
Processing suitability: Various molding processes such as laser cutting, printing, bending, etc. are possible.
Application examples: CT room monitoring windows, glove box front panels, fixed barriers for radiation protection
Transparent Material That Supports the Windows of Science: PARAGLAS™
PARAGLAS™ specialty grade sheets are a highly functional grade that can be relied on in the field to accurately handle light.
The Kamiokande / Super-Kamiokande neutrino detector is a gigantic experiment to explore the mysteries of the universe by capturing the very faint light produced in ultra-pure water in a quiet environment 1,000 meters underground. What is required is reliability as a "window" that does not waver in transparency over a long period of time and does not miss even the slightest light. PARAGLAS™ has been a material technology that supports transparency under these extreme observation conditions.
Features and Applications of PARAGLAS™
Ultra-high transparency: Maintains transparency even in long-term underwater and outdoor environments
Excellent weather and water resistance: Extremely little performance degradation even under ultra-pure water and ultraviolet light
Radiation resistance: Specific formulations allow for long-term exposure to radiation environments.
Processing flexibility: Large-scale integrated molding and precision processing are possible.
Applications: Window materials for scientific observation equipment, protective panels for research facilities, optical covers, special display cases, large aquarium tank windows, etc.
What is Kamiokande?
This is an experimental particle device installed deep underground at the Kamioka Mine in Hida City, Gifu Prefecture, to observe neutrinos coming from space.
By capturing the faint light (Cherenkov light) produced by the rare reaction of neutrinos in a huge tank of ultrapure water, we can decipher information about the formation of the sun, supernovae, and even the universe.
For such observations, a material that does not distort light and maintains stable transparency over a long period of time is essential. High-performance window materials made of acrylic are one of the key elemental technologies for delivering space information to the ground.
Kuraray materials are used in a wider range of fields than one might imagine, from familiar items such as acrylic stands and key chains to cutting-edge scientific experiments, radiation detection and protection, and space-related fields.
Behind this is not only the transparency and durability of the material, but also our attitude of continually asking ourselves the question, "Can we use this in places where there are no precedents yet? Whether it is a small item, a large-scale research facility, or a component that supports future space exploration - we are committed to providing the best quality products and services to our customers.
'Couldn't we use it for something like this?'
From that simple question, the story of a new material quietly begins.
