Lanxess develops economical alternatives to polyamide 66

The ‘P’ in the product name of Durethan P products stands for ‘Performance’ and indicates the high fatigue resistance of these materials against pulsating loads, according to a press release by Lanxess. This means that these grades are many times more resistant to cyclical mechanical loads than standard products with the same glass fibre content. Potential applications of Durethan P series include supporting structures for electrical and electronics modules in batteries for electric vehicles, engine oil pans, oil filter modules and end caps, engine and chassis mounts, damper pistons, and seat shells for passenger cars. In mechanical engineering, the new materials are suitable for dynamically highly stressed components such as gear wheels.

The mechanical properties of both high-modulus Durethan bkv50ph2.0 and Durethan bkv60ph2.0ef thermoplastics are at a high level similar to those of comparable polyamide 66 materials. Their tensile strength at high temperatures is higher than standard polyamide 6 variants with the same glass fiber content. To assess the tensile strength under a pulsating load, Lanxess has developed a HiAnt fatigue screening test that is based on a conventional Wöhler test. The test revealed that under a transverse load of 65 megapascals, the lifespan of Durethan bkv50ph2.0 is around eight times longer than that of a standard polyamide 6. In a corresponding comparison, Durethan bkv60ph2.0ef demonstrates a fatigue behavior that is around ten times better.

Durethan bkv60ph2.0ef is also characterised by its good flow properties. The thermoplastic is easy to process despite its high degree of glass fibre reinforcement. Its flowability is of a similarly high level to that of a polyamide 6 with glass fibre content of 30 to 35 per cent.

“We see both product innovations as cost-effective alternatives to polyamide 66 compounds, which have become significantly more expensive recently due to their limited availability,” said Dr. Thomas Linder, an expert in the development of Durethan at Lanxess. Tests at Lanxess revealed that it is possible to use product variants with the same glass fibre content and therefore the same material density as substitutes. As a result the component weight does not increase.

The services with which Lanxess supports project partners during the development of components for use under pulsating loads include a wide range of component tests. “The equipment at our shaker technical center covers all current vibration tests for the fatigue behavior of components in vehicle applications,” said Linder. Its customer service also includes pressure threshold tests on components from the vehicle cooling circuit as well as pressure change and backfire tests.

At Fakuma, the international trade fair for plastics processing, in October 2018, Lanxess had presented the first representatives of the new product range with Durethan bkv30ph2.0, bkv35ph2.0, bkv40ph2.0, and Durethan bkv130p. Conceivable applications include air intake and oil filter modules for cars as well as load-bearing housings of power tools. The elastomer-modified Durethan bkv130p is particularly impact-resistant and is suitable for furniture locking system components. All four compounds are also suitable substitutes for polyamide 66. (PC)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India