- PA as metal & SMC replacement
- Highly reinforced, suitable for ultra-thin wall thicknesses
- Lanxess introduces two new reinforced polyamides
Polyamides and polybutylene terephthalates reinforced with a glass fiber content of 50 percent and more are very suitable for applications in lightweight construction. Due to their strength and stiffness they are frequently used as an economical alternative to sheet molding compounds (SMC) and other reinforced thermosets, as well as to metals like steel, aluminum and die cast zinc. The company Lanxess has now introduced two new polyamide 6 grades for this segment.
Smooth surfaces with virtually no protruding glass fibers
Durethan BKV 60 XF is a further development of Durethan DP BKV 60 H2.0 EF, which is already widely used in mass production for parts such as front ends, spare wheel recesses and large transmission oil pans. The new product is also reinforced with 60 percent glass fibers and features improved mechanical properties and 30 percent better melt flow. Injection molded parts have a smooth surfaces with virtually no protruding glass fibers. This very good surface quality is based on an optimized crystallization process and higher injection rates, which are possible thanks to the high flowability of the melt. Another advantage of this material, which also permits laser marking, is its resistance to thermal aging. For example, the tensile stress at break of test samples was still above 200 MPa after over 3,000 hours of hot-air aging at 180 °C.
Material for thin-walled, high-stiffness parts
The second material is Durethan BG 60 X XF which is reinforced with 60 percent of a special mixture of glass fibers and glass microspheres. Its stiffness and strength are similarly high to those of Durethan DP BKV 60 H2.0 EF. A special feature of this material is that its shrinkage is significantly more isotropic, and components therefore hardly tend to warp at all. Major applications include, for example, thin-walled, high-stiffness back shells for tablet PCs and automotive interior parts.
