Polymer Extrusion Material produces ultra-thin films.
Press Release Summary:
Offered as alternative to polyetheretherketone (PEEK(TM)), AvaSpire® AV-630 polyaryletherketone (PAEK) is designed for extrusion of ultra-thin film to thicknesses as low as 6 microns. Ductility promotes puncture resistance, which enhances handling in manufacturing operations. In addition to mechanical properties along both flow and transverse directions that exhibit increased consistency/uniformity, material also offers optimized heat deflection temperature (HDT) and flammability resistance.
Original Press Release:
Solvay Advanced Polymers Introduces New AvaSpire® PAEK Grade for Ultra-Thin Film Applications
AV-630 PAEK Delivers High-Performance Alternative to PEEK
ALPHARETTA, Ga. - Solvay Advanced Polymers, LLC, has unveiled a new AvaSpire® polyaryletherketone (PAEK) grade designed for the extrusion of ultra-thin film to thicknesses as low as six microns (25 gauge, 0.236 mil). The new material expands Solvay's proprietary AvaSpire AV-600 PAEK series by providing a higher performing alternative to polyetheretherketone (PEEK) in ultra-thin film applications.
The new grade - designated AvaSpire AV-630 - can be drawn down in extrusion processes to extremely low thicknesses while also offering significant performance advantages in ultra-thin film (less than 25-micron thickness) versus similar films made from PEEK. These benefits include increased ductility for better puncture resistance, which translates into a more robust handling capability in manufacturing operations.
In addition, AV-630 offers more consistent/uniform mechanical properties along both flow and transverse directions of the film. Manufacturers report that PAEK film feels less crinkly and is slightly more flexible than PEEK film at comparable thicknesses, according to Pete Woloson, business development manager for Solvay's Ajedium(TM) Films. Based in Newark, Del. (USA), this division of Solvay Solexis, Inc. produces and sells ultra-thin films made of AvaSpire AV-630.
The new PAEK material also boasts a higher heat deflection temperature (HDT) and enhanced flammability resistance compared to PEEK.
"This new AvaSpire grade has been specifically developed for ultra-thin film and is emerging as a higher performing alternative to PEEK, which until now has been the industry standard," explained Jamal El-Hibri, principal scientist for Solvay Advanced Polymers.
AvaSpire AV-630 is manufactured via Solvay's proprietary melt filtration process which ensures the highest level of cleanliness for production of articles that are extremely low in gel content and other particulate contamination. The material also exhibits improved adhesion to substrate materials during assembly operations.
The new PAEK grade is being evaluated for use at several OEMs in a range of application areas and is demonstrating its advantages over standard PEEK film. Sub-mil thick films made from AV-630 are being considered for a broad range of end uses in electrical/electronics, aerospace, medical, and industrial industries. These include capacitors, electrical insulation, flexible circuitry substrates, composite film layers, specialty laminates, moisture barrier liners, and aerospace films such as thermal acoustical insulation blanket covering films.
In addition to ultra-thin film and tape, AV-630 is suitable for melt extrusion into monofilaments, thin-wall medical tubing and capillaries, as well as for melt extrusion-based wire and cable insulation coating.
About Solvay Specialty Polymers
Solvay Specialty Polymers is comprised of the activities of the Solvay Advanced Polymers, Solvay Solexis and Solvay Padanaplast companies along with SolVin PVDC product lines. As the manufacturer of more products with more performance than any other polymer company in the world, Solvay Specialty Polymers 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 industrial Group active in Chemistry. It offers a broad range of products and solutions that contribute to improving quality of life. The Group is headquartered in Brussels and its companies employ 17,000 people in over 40 countries. In 2010, its consolidated sales amounted to EUR 7.1 billion. Solvay is listed on the NYSE Euronext stock exchange in Brussels (NYSE Euronext: SOLB.BE - Bloomberg: SOLB.BB - Reuters: SOLBt.BR). Details are available at www.solvay.com.
