additives feature | Reinforcing fi bres Carbon fi bre on a roll
Lehmann & Voss subsidiary Lehvoss North America has introduced Luvocom
SCF carbon fi bre reinforced compounds based on various polyamides, for structural
metal replacement. The company says the polyamide compounds incorporate new fi bre technology to deliver “out- standing” performance compared to traditional carbon reinforced alternatives. One application is this roller ski,
Alternative reinforcements An alternative to traditional reinforcements is offered by new types of synthetic reinforcing fi bres such as Milliken’s Hyperform HPR-803i. Once again a key market is automotive. Milliken says the grade allows designers to create parts that are up to 15% lighter than with currently-used reinforcement/fi ller systems without compromising performance. Hyperform HPR-803i is added at a lower addition
rate than mineral fi llers to polypropylene compounds, so the compounds have a lower density. “Used alone or with talc, it helps automakers meet weight reduction targets and produce cars with reduced fuel consump- tion and lower vehicle emission,” Milliken says. Hyperform HPR-803i compounds are said to be
suitable for injection moulding operations originally designed for talc-fi lled compounds, simplifying testing requirements and reducing implementation costs. Milliken cites processors switching from compounds containing 20% talc to compounds with 10% talc and 7% HPR as a cost-effective route to product improvement. PP compounds reinforced with HPR-803i maintain their mechanical properties even after multiple
Plaques showing the improvement in scratch resistance provided by Milliken’s HPR-803i (9% loading in interior grade TPO) on the left, and a hybrid blend of 10% talc and 3% HPR-803i in the centre, compared to 17% talc on the right. The profi lomtery images show a 30% reduction in scratch depth
made in a PA 66 with 40% carbon fi bre by weight. John Vermeulen, the company’s business develop- ment manager, says increases in strength and stiffness in compounds often compromise toughness, but not here. He says that, when compared to traditional carbon fi bre reinforced polymers, Luvocom SCF grades have 50% more tensile strength 15% higher modulus, and 90% greater impact resistance.
www.lehvoss.de
recycling and compounding operations. Part surface appearance can also be improved, and HPR-803i lets processors reduce pigment usage while still meeting colour requirements. Scratch resistance is also improved. Compounds containing Hyperform HPR-803i can be processed on existing conventional injection moulding equipment.
Another hybrid solution is incorporated into a new
polypropylene compound from Borealis, Fibremod WE380HP. This contains 20% glass fi bre reinforcement and 10% mineral fi ller. It is intended for use in both structural and visible automotive parts, such as under-the-bonnet engine covers, gear housings and high-end interior applications (window frames, arm rests). “As a replacement for other materials, Fibremod WE380HP is a lightweight solution that contributes to lower fuel consumption and reduced CO2
emissions
without compromising on visual aesthetics or perfor- mance,” says Borealis. “The grade can bear a high mechanical load, offers
excellent processability, outstanding dimensional stability, low warpage, good heat resistance and allows for self-colouring”.
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COMPOUNDING WORLD | October 2014
www.compoundingworld.com
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