Download Kopfzeile

News release
Systematic expansion of high-modulus materials portfolio
New highly reinforced PBT Pocan
Cost-effective alternative to high-performance thermoplastics and
diecast metals
LANXESS AG
Contact: Udo Erbstößer
Corporate Communications
Trade & Technical Press
51369 Leverkusen
Germany
Phone +49 214 30-54529
Fax +49 214 30-44865
[email protected]
page 1 of 3
Leverkusen – LANXESS is systematically expanding its portfolio of
highly filled Durethan polyamides and Pocan polybutylene
terephthalates (PBT). A new member of this product family is Pocan DP
B 3160 XF, which is reinforced with 60 percent glass fibers and is the
first PBT available on the market with such a high glass fiber content.
Along with its excellent flowability, one of the advantages of this new
material is its extremely high stiffness and strength (elasticity modulus:
19,000 MPa, tensile stress at break: 151 MPa). “The tensile strength at
break is even somewhat better than that of polyphenylene sulfide, which
is why our material is a cost-effective alternative to this highperformance thermoplastic,” explains Manuel Sauer, a design expert in
the Semi-Crystalline Products business unit at LANXESS.
Despite the high filler content, Pocan DP B 3160 XF features excellent
flowability that is significantly higher than that of Pocan T 7391, a PBT
reinforced with 45 percent glass fibers. At 211 °C (HDT/A), heat
resistance is extremely high. The high flexural and tensile strength and
the high elasticity modulus make the new PBT material – and Pocan T
7391, already established on the market – ideal for components that are
subjected to consistently high static loads and have to withstand great
forces. “Possible applications include hinges, structural components,
housings, end shield for car generators or, in commercial vehicles, steps
and easy entry systems,” adds Sauer.
There is currently a trend toward substituting metal by plastic,
accompanied by sharply rising demand for highly filled polyamides and
polyesters as an alternative to diecast metals such as aluminum and
zinc. This is due primarily to the steep rises in prices for these metals
and the high energy costs for processing them. Furthermore, the metal
parts are often coated, which is time-consuming and cost-intensive.
Damage to the coating frequently results in corrosion problems. Further
costs result from the molds wearing out relatively fast.
In contrast, components made from highly reinforced thermoplastic
materials can often be made using just one single set of molds, even in
the case of large production runs. Coloring of plastics usually removes
the need to coat parts. “Highly reinforced polyamides and polybutylene
terephthalates boast a range of properties that is quite sufficient for
many existing metal applications. The performance of these materials
and the components made from them can be utilized to the full better
than ever before thanks to sophisticated CAE software and new
simulation methods such as integrative simulation and topology
optimization,” says Sauer.
As well as Pocan, LANXESS is also adding easy-flowing, highly filled
grades to the Durethan polyamide product family. The range includes
polyamide 6 and 66 grades reinforced with 50 percent glass fibers. One of
the highlights is the highly filled Durethan DP BKV 60 EF H.2.0 with 60
percent glass fibers. Its tensile modulus at room temperature is approx.
19,000 MPa (conditioned 13,000 MPa), twice that of a standard polyamide
6 with 30 percent glass fiber reinforcement. Despite having double the
glass fiber content, it has similar flowability. “Highly filled polyamides are
particularly well suited to applications where sustained dynamic loadbearing properties are key, for example for plastic/metal components in
cars, such as front ends and roof frames, for transmission and engine oil
pans and for brackets used in mechanical engineering,” says Sauer.
LANXESS is a leader in specialty chemicals with 2006 sales of EUR 6.94 billion
and more than 16,000 employees in 21 countries. The company is represented at
47 production sites worldwide. The core business of LANXESS is the development,
manufacture and sale of specialty chemicals, plastics, rubber and intermediates.
Leverkusen,
rei
October 24, 2007
(2007-0280e)
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and
forecasts made by LANXESS AG management. Various known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future
results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates
LANXESS AG
Contact: Udo Erbstößer
Corporate Communications
Trade & Technical Press
51369 Leverkusen
Germany
Phone +49 214 30-54529
Fax +49 214 30-44865
[email protected]
page 2 of 3
given here. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking
statements or to conform them to future events or developments.
Information for editors:
All LANXESS news releases, photos, video and audio material can be found on
http://press.lanxess.com.
LANXESS AG
Contact: Udo Erbstößer
Corporate Communications
Trade & Technical Press
51369 Leverkusen
Germany
Phone +49 214 30-54529
Fax +49 214 30-44865
[email protected]
page 3 of 3