HIGH TEMPERATURE PLASTICS | MATERIALS


Thermoplastics cope with the heat in thin parts


Automotive and electronic mouldings are becoming thinner and smaller, placing extra demands on thermoplastics in high-temperature applications. By Peter Mapleston


Latest introductions from suppliers of high temper- ature-resistant polymers and compounds are aimed at specific applications across many industrial and consumer sectors. Top of the target list, as usual, are the automotive and electronics sectors, for different reasons: in the former, resistance to high tempera- tures for long periods is required, along with top mechanical properties and resistance to oils and other automotive fluids; in E&E, high heat resistance needs to be matched with excellent electrical properties, such as tracking resistance and flame retardance, as well as the ability to fill extremely thin wall sections. Beyond these sectors, other end-use sectors calling for high temperature resistance are led by medical equipment. “More data, less space – put in a nutshell, this is the major trend in consumer electronics,” says Ivy Fang, head of business development Asia for


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polyphthalamides (PPA) at BASF. “Smaller and thinner parts have to be incorporated into even more compact designs to save assembly space while at the same time the power and data flow rates increase. Thus, the requirements on materials used grow, especially with respect to temperature and mechanical properties.” At Chinaplas earlier this year, BASF showcased a


new grade of Ultramid Advanced N PPA (PA9T) exhibiting extremely low moisture uptake, excellent toughness and dimensional stability at high temperatures. Intended mainly for connectors, these properties ensure stable performance during post-processing by surface mount technology, the company says. Ultramid Advanced N2U40G7 shows what BASF says is the ideal balance of high flowability, tough- ness and flame retardancy. It thus enables miniaturi-


September 2021 | INJECTION WORLD 13


Main image: Automotive under-the-hood plastics need to resist high temperatures for long periods


IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK


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