MATERIALS | HIGH PERFORMANCE COMPOUNDS


space components. Southfied, MI, US-based Eaton Corporation has designed high-temperature conductive compounds for use in place of metals in aerospace fuel systems. One such material is a PEEK-based material with ESD properties that can be extruded into tubes and used instead of aluminium versions. “To get a uniform dispersion of carbon-based


nanomaterials in PEEK, the Eaton team relies on POSS as a functionalisation and dispersing agent,” says Eaton Senior Technology Manager Javed Mapkar. “POSS additives also help to tailor the viscosity to assist with the tube extrusion process and achieve uniform product from batch to batch.”


Expanded platforms


Lichtenhan says Hybrid continues to expand its additive offerings to gain more powerful effects at very low loadings. A new platform known as heteroleptic caged (HC) POSS is currently under development and selective evaluation, he says. HC POSS additives contain two or more different


types of organic groups on the cage core. Each group serves a specific but different purpose, such as providing dispersion, compatibility, or crosslink- ing. These heteroleptic cages are targeted for use as compatibilisers of ingredients within the bulk polymer. One example (Figure 1) incorporates i-octyl groups that provide plasticisation, while the vinyl groups provide latent crosslinking, and the aromatics high temperature and resin compatibility. “POSS is becoming a “go-to additive” for


processing of aromatic thermoplastics when precision dispersion and reproducible formulation are required,” Lichtenhan concludes. Last month, Byk Additives launched its Byk-Max


Figure 1: Hybrid Plastics’ new HC POSS additives are heteroleptic cage structures that combine two or more different functional groups selected for particular purposes, such as dispersion, plasticisation or compatibilisation Image: Hybrid Plastics


CT 4275 organophilic phyllosilicate, which is aimed at various polyamide applications in sectors such as automotive. The company says the optimised surface treatment and novel morphology of the silicate provides improved dispersion and incorpo- ration into the thermoplastic matrix “while ensuring near-perfect exfoliation in polar systems.” According to the company, the strong reinforc- ing mechanism provided by Byk-Max CT 4275 improves a number of performance characteristics, including flexural modulus, yield strength, tensile strength, and heat deflection temperature, while ensuring very good flow behaviour. This makes it possible to form thinner components and so reduce weight. “In mineral and glass fibre-filled thermoplastic composites, the additive enables a lower total content of mineral and glass fibres without com- prising the mechanical properties,” the company claims. “In addition, Byk-Max CT 4275 will also have a positive effect on surface properties, scratch resistance and flow behaviour.”


Figure 2: Chart showing the effect of Byk-Max CT 4275 on the heat distortion temperature of PA66 Source: Byk


46 COMPOUNDING WORLD | November 2022


Byk says the new additive was developed specifically to increase the physical properties of polyamides while having minimal effect on density at the recommended dosage of up to 2.5%. It is said to be highly miscible in polyamides, especially PA6, requiring no special processing considerations. The company highlights the constant pressure on suppliers to further improve the benefits of PA6 and PA66 in areas such as physical properties, ease of processing, density, and cost in order to con- tinue efforts in metal replacement and to offer an alternative to higher cost engineering polymers.


www.compoundingworld.com


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