German specialty chemicals manufacturer LANXESS is expanding its Durethan P series of polyamide 6 products with the addition of two high-strength materials that can be used as an economical alternative to polyamide 66 materials. Durethan bkv50ph2.0 and Durethan bkv60ph2.0ef have short glass fiber contents of 50% and 60% by weight, respectively. The "P" in the product name stands for "Performance", indicating that these materials have high fatigue resistance to pulsating loads. This means that these grades are many times more resistant to cyclic mechanical loads than standard products with the same glass fiber content. Potential applications include support structures for electrical and electronic modules in electric vehicle batteries, engine oil pans, oil filter modules and end caps, engine and chassis bases, shock absorber pistons, and seat shells for passenger cars. In mechanical engineering, this new material is suitable for dynamic high-stress parts such as gears.
Replaces polyamide 66 while maintaining component weight
The mechanical properties of the two high modulus thermoplastics are comparable to those of similar polyamide 66 materials. "Recently, polyamide 66 has become more expensive due to limited supply. Therefore, we also see these two product innovations as cost-effective alternatives to polyamide 66 compounds," explains Dr. Thomas Linder, development expert at Durethan. . LANXESS testing shows that glass fibers with the same content can be modified, so the material density is the same as the alternative. Therefore, the component weight does not increase.
In October 2018, at the Fakuma International Plastics Processing Trade Fair, LANXESS introduced the first representative products of the new series, Durethan Bkv30ph2.0, Bkv35ph2.0, Bkv40ph2.0, and Durethan Bkv130p. Their glass fiber content is 30% to 40 %between. Conceivable applications include automotive air intake, oil filter modules, and load-bearing housings for power tools. The elastomer-modified Durethan BKV130P is particularly impact resistant and suitable for use in furniture fixing system components. All four compounds are suitable alternatives to polyamide 66.
Better tensile strength at high temperatures
Like their "brothers and sisters," these two new high-strength compounds have improved mechanical and structural properties. "For example, they have higher tensile strength at higher temperatures than standard modified polyamide 6 with the same glass fiber content," Linder said. To evaluate performance under pulsating loads, LANXESS has developed a HiAnt based on traditional Wöhler tests Fatigue screening test. This test shows that under a lateral load of 65 MPa, the service life of Durethan bkv50ph2.0 is approximately eight times that of standard polyamide 6 with the same glass fiber content. In the corresponding comparison, Durethan BKV60PH2.0EF has approximately 10 times the fatigue resistance.
At the same time, Durethan BKV60ph2.0ef has good fluidity. Therefore, although thermoplastics have high glass fiber reinforcement, they are easy to process. Its fluidity is similar to that of polyamide 6 with a glass fiber content of 30% -35%.
Hiant – customer service until production starts
In the development of components for pulsating loads, LANXESS 'services to support project partners include testing of various components. "The equipment at our Shaker Technology Center covers vibration testing of component fatigue performance in all current vehicle applications," Linder explained. Its customer service also includes pressure threshold testing of components in vehicle cooling circuits as well as pressure change and tempering tests.
All these services are part of HiAnt. Under this brand, LANXESS bundles its engineering expertise in the process of developing thermoplastic components for customers.