High-Heat PPA Resin deliver long-term thermal stability.
Press Release Summary:
High-heat (HH) grades of Amodel® polyphthalamide (PPA) resin include 33% glass reinforced A-4133HH and 45% glass reinforced A-4145HH. Testing shows 75% retention of tensile strength after heat aging for 3,000 hr at 446°F and after 1,000 hr at 482°F. Formulated to meet operating temperature and lifetime service demands of downsized turbocharged engines and under-the-hood applications, chemical-resistant resins also maintain mechanical properties when thermally aged at 320°F and 374°F.
Original Press Release:
Solvay's New High-Heat Amodel® PPA Improves Long-Term Thermal Stability in Under-the-Hood Applications
ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Solvay Specialty Polymers USA, LLC, has expanded its range of Amodel® polyphthalamide (PPA) resins for automotive under-the-hood applications. New high-heat (HH) grades of Amodel® PPA can extend the service life of components used in high-temperature air induction applications such as air cooler housings, resonators, charge air hoses, and components for exhaust gas recirculation.
The new high-heat grades have been launched to meet the demands of new highly downsized turbocharged engines that have been introduced to reach a balance between emissions compliance, CO2 reduction, and consumer performance preference, according to Mark Wright, global automotive marketing manager for Solvay Specialty Polymers.
“This innovative material was developed to specifically help our customers meet the challenges of continuously rising operating temperatures and tougher lifetime service requirements,” explained Wright.
Engine downsizing has placed high-temperature demands on air induction components, especially those components between the turbocharger compressor exit and the hot side charge air cooler housing. Solvay conducted several interviews with key European OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers to understand and assess the next-generation requirements of hot side air induction components.
Amodel® A-4133HH (33% glass reinforced) and Amodel® A-4145HH (45% glass reinforced) PPA resins deliver better long-term thermal stability than competitive polyamide-based materials and polyphenylene sulfide (PPS). Testing shows 75% retention of tensile strength after heat aging for 3000 hours at 230°C (446°F) and after 1000 hours at 250°C (482°F).
Solvay has also confirmed that HH grades of Amodel® PPA maintain mechanical properties when thermally aged at lower temperatures of 160°C (320°F) and 190°C (374°F). Test pieces during thermal aging exhibited a smooth surface appearance and no bubbles.
Both new high-heat materials provide the broad chemical resistance that is typically expected from a PPA. Both materials crystallize quickly, resulting in a 10% cycle time reduction versus other PPA and PPS materials. These materials can also be processed on water-heated injection tools.
High-heat Amodel® PPA grades are being tested by many European OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers in a range of applications and are now available for global sampling.
Amodel® PPA is one of the industry’s most specified materials for automotive applications where heat, humidity, and chemical resistance are major considerations. It has successfully replaced die-cast aluminum for over 20 years and is known for its high flow/fast cycling, excellent chemical resistance, and low moisture absorption/strong dimensional stability.
About Solvay Specialty Polymers
Solvay Specialty Polymers manufactures more products with more performance than any other polymer company in the world. The company supplies over 1500 products across 33 brands of high-performance polymers – fluoropolymers, fluoroelastomers, fluorinated fluids, semi-aromatic polyamides, sulfone polymers, aromatic ultra polymers, high-barrier polymers and cross-linked high-performance compounds – for use in Aerospace, Alternative Energy, Automotive, Healthcare, Membranes, Oil Gas, Packaging, Plumbing, Semiconductors, Wire & Cable, and other markets. Learn more at www.solvayspecialtypolymers.com.
Solvay is an international chemical Group committed to sustainable development with a clear focus on innovation and operational excellence. It is realizing over 90% of its sales in markets where it is among the top 3 global leaders. Solvay offers a broad range of products that contribute to improving quality of life and the performance of its customers in markets such as consumer goods, construction, automotive, energy, water and environment, and electronics. The Group is headquartered in Brussels and its companies, which employ about 31,000 people in 55 countries, generated EUR 12.7 billion in net sales in 2011 (pro forma). Solvay SA (SOLB.BE) is listed on NYSE Euronext in Brussels and Paris (Bloomberg: SOLB.BB - Reuters: SOLBt.BR).
Press Contact:
Joseph Grande
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