MATERIALS | AUTOMOTIVE
“Mobile charging is an important factor for the acceptance of electric vehicles, as it reduces range anxiety and increases flexibility in everyday life. We are pleased to be able to facilitate the decision to purchase an electric car with our Ultramid material in the LAPP Mobility Dock,” says Klaus Uske, Technical Development, BASF.
Above: BASF Ultramid PA is used in a charging dock developed by cable and connection technologies supplier LAPP
ity. Part of the Altech Eco portfolio, the compound contains a mix of PCR and PIR and passes the UL94 5VA test both with open flame and heated wire. Kraiburg TPE offers custom-engineered solutions catering to the functional requirements of roof railings, trims, and racks, which deliver durabil- ity and flexibility while aligning with sustainability goals. The Thermoplast RC/UV/AP series brings together technology and sustainable practices, showcasing a hardness-dependent PCR content of 15-40% and boasting a range of hardness options from 50 Shore A to 90 Shore A. The series is especially strong in weather and UV resistance, the former confirmed by successful completion of the two-year cycle Florida test, and is further distin- guished via good adhesion properties, particularly with PP and PE. The series’ ability to work well with multi-component injection moulding makes it easy to assemble parts, enhancing both the strength and appearance of the components. The series also demonstrates good thermal stability, preserving its performance attributes even at elevated operating temperatures of up to 90°C. Ideal applications include roof rack sealing and covers, roof railing underlays, and roof railing bases. In September it was revealed that BASF’s engineering Ultramid PA plastic has been used in the housing material of the Mobile Dock, a port- able charging system developed by cable and connection technologies supplier LAPP. Ultramid was deemed the ideal material as it is highly mechanically resilient and UV-resistant. It is also a halogen-free flame retardant and has high chemi- cal resistance. Ultramid grades, which were previously sold as Technyl and acquired as part of the takeover of Solvay’s PA66 business, are moulding compounds based on PA6, PA66 and various co-polyamides such as PA66/6. The range also includes PA610 and semi-aromatic polyamides such as PA6T/6, PA6T/66, PA6T/6I and PA9T.
42 INJECTION WORLD | November/December 2023
Automotive transformation At Fakuma 2023, Italian company Sirmax Group presented several new compound formulations with a high percentage of recycled material designed for car interiors. One such product is its Naturally Inspired material range. Through special finishes and embossing, polymers from this range can simulate natural effects such as stone, marble, fabric, or wood, the percentage of post-consumer and bio-based materials within the formulation altered depending on customer specifications. With this line, the company says it is recreating the visual experiences of natural materials and offering alternative design materials for car interiors while reducing the use of fabric upholstery, thereby saving assembly time and costs.
Sirmax has also developed a door panel material
that can address problems related to the mainte- nance of mechanical properties, unwanted odours, and the presence of volatile organic compounds. The PP compound from the Green Isofil family has 5% talc additive and contains 30% PCR, yet has the mechanical and aesthetic characteristics of virgin plastic and has a carbon footprint up to 21% lower than 100% virgin raw material, says the company. The solution is part of a wider range that can be applied to other automotive parts. “The automotive world is going through an epochal transformation,” says Sirmax Group President and CEO Massimo Pavin. “The increasing adoption of the electric car is undeniable proof of this. But there are also issues around post-consumer plastic use and end-of-life waste. Manufacturers are asking questions about redesigning cars that can be sustainable even after they are used, and we are accompanying them on this transformative journey.” Also at Fakuma 2023, Avient launched Stat-Tech
TPE static dissipative and electrically conductive TPEs, which offer electrical resistivity from 100Ω to 1010Ω, preventing electromagnetic and radio frequency interference in critical electrical compo- nents. Stat-Tech TPEs also facilitate single-step fabrication, more design freedom, and two-compo- nent overmoulding directly onto polymer sub- strates. The formulations meet regulatory compli- ance requirements, including ATEX and ESD, and six standard grades are available ranging in
www.injectionworld.com
IMAGE: BASF
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