MATERIALS | LFTs
highly engineered, filled thermoplastic polymer replaces metal in electromagnetic and radio-fre- quency (EMI/RFI) shielding applications at up to 60% lighter weight. Through an exclusive, ten-year licence agreement, ElectriPlast technology will serve as a complement to PolyOne’s existing speciality engineered materials portfolio, providing shielding for advanced driver assist systems (ADAS), including housings, connectors, and internal components for cameras, sensors, and electronic control units (see page 24 for more on this). EMS-Grivory developed its Grivory HT1VA long
Above: LFT development is focused on developing solutions for specific applications, often through additive and polymer combinations
developments of materials and products geared toward customising long fibre formulations to the performance requirements of specific applications. “Often such customisation takes the form of additive technologies being combined with the polymer matrix during pultrusion to gain additional performance characteristics,” he says. However, from a production technology per-
spective, the need to increase throughput in pultrusion, while maintaining wet-out and quality standards, is an area that continues to be ad- dressed. “If the market doubles as predicted, higher line speeds or equipment with higher strand counts are going to become a necessity to meet demand – both of those throughput factors can make the safe operation of pultrusion lines challenging for operators,” says Ouendag. “Specifically what is being done by each compounder to upgrade their equipment infrastructure and processing tech- niques is usually considered a trade secret.” Plasticomp says that developing materials with
Right: EMS- Grivory’s HT1VA long fibre reinforced PA is targeted at motor and battery cooling systems for electric vehicles
improved surface appearance is a particular area of interest at present. “Traditionally long fibre was utilised for internal structural elements that were seldom visible, so fibre present on the surface was not a concern,” Ouendag says. “However, now it is becoming more common for components made with long fibre to be used for exposed surfaces so smooth fibre-free appearance is much more critical than in the past. PlastiComp has also developed some polyamide materials that are less susceptible to performance degradation from moisture absorption. This is a factor for applications that will see exposure to a wide variety of climates - manu- facturers commonly expect that their end products will function the same in a tropical environment as they do in an arid one.” Only a couple of months before acquiring
PlastiComp, PolyOne announced a collaboration with Integral Technologies Inc and its wholly-owned subsidiary ElectriPlast Corporation to commercialise its long fibre conductive ElectriPlast material. This
36 COMPOUNDING WORLD | June 2018
www.compoundingworld.com
fibre reinforced polyamide for liquid-based cooling system applications in electric vehicles (thermal management is important to maintain the battery, power electronics and electric motor at the correct temperature level for efficient operation). The new material is said to offer good resistance to hydroly- sis and cooling agents and can withstand long-term use at moderate coolant temperatures. After around 12,000 hours in water at 95°C, Grivory HT1VA exhibits 30% higher strength values compared to a traditional PPA under the same conditions. A further advantage is its electro-compatible stabilisation, which makes it suitable for electronic components. The company says that in combination with electri- cal conductors there is no ionic migration while no corrosive effects are created in warmer climates. It foresees applications in auxiliary water pumps and thermal management modules. Conventus Polymers has developed a range
of high performance thermoplastics using long fibre technology that deliver high strength, high heat resistance and dimensional stability for firearm applications including stocks, magazines, receivers, rails, and a variety of other applications. The company says that polymers are increasingly employed in the firearms market where, in addition to lightweighting, they offer reduced recoil, corrosion resistance, serviceability, cost
PHOTO: PLASTICOMP
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK
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