In order to find materials that can meet the performance requirements of its latest G-SHOCK®MUDMASTER series digital watches, the Japanese technology company CASIO has tested more than 40 plastic materials under extremely harsh conditions. With its unique combination of properties, Evonik's high-performance plastic TROGAMID®CX is the only material that has passed the test.
Before the launch of the new MUDMASTER series in July, a team of about 30 Evonik plastics experts tested it in a "Mud Master" obstacle course in Weitzer, Lower Rhine, Germany. The results proved that the new watch withstood a series of tests in this mud war in mid-May.
Mud, sweat, and an open smile, this is the most common close-up shot of the Mud Master obstacle course. Since 2012, the event has become a popular event in Western Europe. In fact, the Mud Master is by no means an ordinary sporting event. "You're being dragged away in the mud," said sports fan Dirk Heinrich. Heinrich is also an Evonik polymer specialist. During the competition, athletes also need to pass challenging obstacle facilities, which requires people and equipment to perform at the best.
Although the Master Mud looks exciting, trying to finish the race is not easy. "In addition to endurance, you need better physical fitness and balance control to cope with all obstacles. And many obstacles are unpredictable," Heinrich explained. The preparation for each game is different, and sometimes some unconventional training methods are required. "I used to jog in the woods and on slag heaps, carrying a piece of wood weighing 15 kilos on my shoulder."
High-performance materials for extreme conditions
About 30 employees from the Evonik Performance Polymers business line participated in this year's competition. "We were originally a group of sedentary office clerks, non-stop sales, and thirsty engineers-what a wonderful combination." Heinrich said. Five years ago, Heinrich completed his first military parkour class at Weitzer, and has since convinced colleagues to participate. This time, Evonik polymer experts formed a team to complete the "Ninja" distance run of 18 kilometers. The key to success is obviously teamwork and working together to achieve common goals.
"Focus on running is often the habit of deep-running enthusiasts," Heinrich smiled at the digital watch with mud on his left wrist. It is one of Casio's new G-SHOCK®MUDMASTER series, which can perfectly cope with various extreme environments. Its indestructible secret is the use of Evonik's transparent, high-performance polyamide TROGAMID®CX material.
"For more than three decades, G-SHOCK® has gained worldwide renown as a shock-resistant watch and has sold millions in total," said Mr. Hajime Iguchi, Manager of Casio Product Engineering. "We have succeeded in creating a particularly rugged, UV-resistant, mud-resistant digital watch. This is the new MUDMASTER series. Even in extreme conditions, it still excels."
This watch uses a "carbon core shield" structure based on Evonik's TROGAMID®CX material. The permanent transparent high-performance polyamide material has excellent UV protection and high resistance to mechanical stress or chemicals. Over the years, it has been successfully used in sports, leisure, automotive, cosmetics, medical equipment and optics industries.
Successfully passed rigorous material tests
Casio engineers tested forty different plastics. "Evonik's TROGAMID®CX meets our most stringent requirements in terms of mechanical strength and high design freedom, and is suitable for the precision construction of our products," said Mr. Iguchi.
Casio's new shock-proof "carbon core shield" structural system consists of a lightweight and extremely hard shell and a new dust-proof and mud-proof structure, which can provide strong protection for the modular unit of the new digital watch. The strong combination of new design and innovative high-performance materials ultimately results in tougher products and more sophisticated designs such as the absence of button guards.
"Performance and design are the most important demands that the sports industry continues to express to specialty chemical solution providers like Evonik," said Dr. Iordanis Savvopoulos, head of the Evonik Performance Polymers business line pellets and blends product line. As a member of the team, he also participated in this Weitzer Mud Master obstacle course. “A better understanding of our customers’ product needs can help us to provide them with a highly customized, high-performance plastic in a professional manner. Wearing the new Casio watch to participate in this year ’s Weitzer battle is the ultimate practical test we conducted. It ’s again Proving our expertise in polymer design. "
"Five years ago, I stood here alone. Today, 30 of us formed a strong team. I look forward to future training." Heinrichs, covered in mud from head to toe, said.
Casio used Evonik's transparent polyamide material as a component material for its G-SHOCK® model in 2012. Compared with metals, Evonik's TROGAMID® CX material has the characteristics of light weight, excellent chemical resistance, high transparency, suitable for light colors, and strong impact resistance. Evonik's adventure in the "Master of the Earth" competition also began in the same year.