POLYAMIDES | ADDITIVES
Already one of the most versatile engineering plastics, polyamides are increasingly being asked to deliver more. Jennifer Markarian reviews the role of additives in delivering enhanced performance
Adding more performance to PA
Polyamides are known as a broad family of high- performing engineering plastics, and a wide range of additives are employed to boost their perfor- mance to meet expectations in areas such as automotive and electrical and electronic (E&E) components. Challenges that can be addressed with additive technology include improvement of flow to mould smaller and more intricate parts, as well as better heat and hydrolysis resistance for use in harsh environments. Additives can also be used to restore properties to recycled polyamides. Functional additives help polyamides meet the
increasing thermal, mechanical, and chemical constraints created as the automotive industry is shifting to downsizing, hybridisation and full electrifi- cation, says Christophe Paulo, Global Segment Leader Plastics Solutions at Dow Performance Silicones (formerly Dow Corning). The company has introduced PA additives such as tribology modifiers and a patented flame retardant synergist (Dow Corning 43-821 Additive) over the past two years. It is currently working on other additive solutions that
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will improve flexibility and/or water ageing, which it sees being needed for applications such as engine, electrical or industrial parts. Paulo says the company sees PA as very much
the material of choice in the automotive sector and expects compounds based on it to make significant gains in technical applications. “The main develop- ment areas for PA are structural and technical parts, with further replacement of metal parts and other plastic materials such as PP,” he says. “Thermal mechanical and/or chemical constraints are increasing as the automotive industry is shifting to downsizing hybridation and full electrification. With these moves we can expect further technical improvement in water, chemical, mechanical and thermal resistance. These improvements are essentially made possible with functional additives.” Ascend Performance Materials also sees
opportunities in the dynamic electric vehicle (EV) market and in hybrid vehicles, the latter a sector it expects to grow significantly. Alongside develop- ments in EV technologies such as batteries and fuel
February 2018 | COMPOUNDING WORLD 17
Main image: PA additive producers are responding to increasing performance demands from industries such as automotive
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK
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