Engineering thermoplastic compounder RTP Company (USA) recently commercialized a new line of all-polymeric wear additive (APWA) compounds offering improved wear resistance. According to the company, the RoHS-complaint and non-halogenated materials provide excellent plastic-on-plastic performance without sacrificing properties inherent to the host resin like strength, impact resistance, and specific gravity. In addition, they are free of particulate or traditional wear-reducing additives like PTFE and silicone. Currently, the APWA compounds are initially available worldwide in five resin systems including nylon 6/6 (PA), polycarbonate (PC), acetal (POM), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), and polycarbonate/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene alloy (PC/ABS).
According to the company, the benefits of its all-polymeric wear additive (APWA) compounds include:
- Improved plastic-on-plastic wear resistance and reduced friction resulting in higher PV load capacity during standard ASTM D3702 thrust washer testing.
- Improved flow during molding permitting thin walls and intricate designs to fill easily.
- Blemish-free surface appearance and complete colorability makes it ideal for visible components and consumer items.
- Produce more parts or use less material with specific gravity reductions of up to 10% over similar PTFE-lubricated materials.
- Better lot-to-lot and part-to-part consistency, because unlike other olefin-based wear reducing additives, APWA compounds are not reactively extruded.
- Halogen-free and RoHS Compliant providing eco-friendliness for use in electrical & electronics applications.
- No plate-out issues that are common to PTFE lubricated materials and require regular mold cleaning and lost production time.
- Retention of critical host resin physical properties by not using particulate or fluid additives.
15-May-09 
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