POLYAMIDE 6 WITH IMPROVED FLOW AND CYCLE TIME REDUCTION

Main Menu | News By Date | News By Supplier | News By Category | About Us

POLYAMIDE 6 WITH IMPROVED FLOW AND CYCLE TIME REDUCTION
17 November 2003 - DSM Engineering Plastics

DSM Engineering Plastics is extending its Akulon polyamide 6 (PA6) offerings with Akulon Ultraflow.

Akulon Ultraflow PA6 provides up to 80% greater flow and up to 25%-40% cycle time reduction in injection moulding when compared to standard PA6 grades, with no significant loss of mechanical properties.

Thin-wall items with long flow paths and high-appearance benefit especially from Akulon Ultraflow, owing to better surface quality and lower moulded-in warpage and other internal stresses.

“We’re convinced that Akulon Ultraflow provides a solution for many of our customers,” said Bert Havenith, Product Manager, Akulon. “Housings and enclosures look better in Akulon Ultraflow - and looks are more and more important to consumers - as automotive components have better surface appearance and, in addition, can be produced faster.”

Reduction in cycle time is the result of a combination of shorter injection and hold times, faster crystallisation speed, and the option to use lower processing temperatures, all the result of improved flow length, thus delivering lower system costs and productivity gain.

The excellent flow characteristics of Akulon Ultraflow offer potential reduction in clamping force, use of more cavities per mould, reduction in injection ports, and even smaller tools and smaller injection machines – a further contribution towards system cost reductions.

The surface finish (especially for highly reinforced formulations) of parts moulded in Akulon Ultraflow is better, due to better wetting-out of the glass fibres.

Finally, weldability is better with Akulon Ultraflow than with PA6s which show higher viscosity at moulding temperature.

DSM Akulon Ultraflow PA6 formulations include neat; high stiffness (30-40% glass reinforcement); and higher stiffness (>50% glass, as well as glass/mineral formulations).

Typical applications include under-bonnet automotive components and assemblies including air cleaners, intake manifolds and engine covers; automotive appearance items such as door handles and mirror brackets; electrical components such as connectors, junction boxes, and terminal blocks; power tool and lawn and garden enclosures and housings; a wide variety of sports equipment, including ski bindings, and inline skates; and a broad range of appliance and building and construction applications.

http://www.dsmep.com

About: DSM Engineering Plastics
DSM Engineering Plastics is a business group forming part of DSM's Performance Materials cluster. DSM EP is a global supplier of Stanyl PA46 and Akulon 6 and 66 polyamides, Arnitel TPE-E, Arnite PBT and PET polyesters, Xantar polycarbonate, Yparex extrudable adhesive resins, and Stamylan UH Ultra High Molecular Weight PE. These materials are used in technical components for electrical appliances, electronic equipment and cars, in barrier packaging films as well as in many mechanical and extrusion applications. The business group had annual sales of EUR 566 million in 2003. With Stanyl, it is the global market leader in high heat polyamides.

Stanyl is a family of heat-resistant polyamides from DSM Engineering Plastics. Stanyl’s high crystallinity (70% versus 50% for conventional PA66) results in high heat distortion temperatures of 190C for unreinforced grades, up to 290C for reinforced. Stanyl grades are used in automotive clutch plates, charge air coolers, chain tensioners; electrical components including motor frames and end laminates, circuit breakers, controls and connectors; and home and power tool components, including heat shields and heat-resistant utensils.

More News:
  • For November 2003
  • From DSM Engineering Plastics
  • For Engineering Plastics