Friction/Wear Material suits non-lubricated applications.

Press Release Summary:



Polyamide-imide TORLON(R) 4435 PAI provides wear resistance in high-PV, 50,000 to 100,000 psi-ft/min applications. It also exhibits wear resistance in low-pressure, high-velocity conditions (125 psi and 800 ft/min) and high-pressure, low-velocity conditions (2,000 psi and 50 ft/min). Glass transition temperature allows parts to operate continuously at temperatures up to 260 deg C. Thermoplastic material can be injection molded.



Original Press Release:


New Friction and Wear Grade Joins TORLON(R) Polyamide-imide Lineup


TORLON 4435 PAI is designed for performance in non-lubricated, high PV applications

Alpharetta, Ga. -- Solvay Advanced Polymers, L.L.C., today announced the introduction of a new grade of TORLON polyamide-imide (PAI) material at this year's National Manufacturing Week, being held from March 18-21, at McCormick Place, in Chicago, Ill.

The new material, designated TORLON 4435, is specifically designed to provide exceptional wear performance in non-lubricated, high-PV applications. Not only is new TORLON 4435 particularly suited to applications where lubrication is impossible or undesirable, it provides an additional margin for the continued operation of lubricated systems in the event that lubrication is lost.

A high-PV environment is one in which the pressure on a moving part multiplied by the part's velocity results in a composite measurement (PV) in the range from 50,000 to 100,000 psi-ft/min. Typical applications that operate in this regime are rotating or sliding components of automotive and industrial machinery, such as bearings, bushings, seal rings, wear pads, and piston rings.

Initial testing has demonstrated that parts made of TORLON 4435 exhibit excellent wear resistance across the complete envelope of non-lubricated high PVs - from low pressure-high velocity conditions (125 psi and 800 ft/min) to those of high pressure and low velocity (2,000 psi and 50 ft/min). Polymers that can operate in this extreme environment can save both cost and weight as replacements for the metal parts traditionally used in such applications.

Surviving at high PV
The key to the durability of TORLON 4435 at non-lubricated high PVs is its ability to maintain its good mechanical properties at high temperature. The glass transition temperature of this new polyamide-imide material allows parts to operate continuously at temperatures up to 260 deg C.

By comparison, two other materials often specified for stress-and-motion applications have individual shortcomings that hinder their success in the extremes of temperature or pressure. Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) materials tend not to survive in conditions above 75,000 PV without additional lubrication, because their mechanical properties are seriously compromised at heats above a glass-transition temperature of 145 deg C. Conventional polyimide (PI) materials, while they have excellent wear performance, can lack sufficient mechanical strength to maintain integrity under non-lubricated, high-pressure conditions.

Increasing performance, reducing cost
TORLON 4435 is formulated with a proprietary lubricant package that extends the range of PV performance available from the product family. Other grades of TORLON PAI are suitable for moderate pressure-velocity environments - those ranging from 25,000 to 50,000 PV. In addition, the new 4435 grade is a thermoplastic material that can be formed into a net shape by injection molding. Some polyimide materials require sintering into stock shapes and machining to finish, which can result in higher production costs without delivering corresponding performance advantage.

Solvay Advanced Polymers
Solvay Advanced Polymers, L.L.C., is a subsidiary of Solvay America, Inc. The company produces high-performance polymers that are used in a wide range of demanding applications in the automotive, aerospace, industrial, foodservice, medical and electronics industries worldwide. Solvay Advanced Polymers was formed when Solvay S.A. combined its PA-MX6 and PPS product lines with a portfolio of materials that had comprised BP Amoco's engineering resins business.

Solvay S.A. is an international pharmaceuticals and chemicals group with headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, employing about 32,000 people in 50 countries. In 2001, its consolidated sales amounted to EUR 8.7 billion generated by its four activity sectors: Pharmaceuticals, Chemicals, Plastics and Processing. Solvay is listed in the Euronext 100 index of top European companies. Details are available at www.solvay.com

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