New copolymer combines properties of polyamides with those of polyolefins

30-Sep-09

Apolhya is a new polymer family that combines the properties of polyamides with those of polyolefins. It offers thermal stability that beats that of polyolefins as well as greater flexibility than conventional polyamides and good impact resistance. It has been launched by Arkema and is already commercial in a few applications The material is a copolymer: a comb-block-copolymer to be precise. The properties of polyamides are combined with those of polyolefins by producing co-continuous morphologies on the copolymers on a nanometric scale. The material is not based on a specific polyolefin but rather is a copolymer, generally containing some ethylene as a co-monomer. The composition of the copolymer can vary to a large extent according to grades and applications needs such as mechanical properties, thermal resistance, chemical resistance or transparency requirements. Regardless of the composition, Arkema is able to propose nanostructured polymers, with very stable morphology during further processing (injection molding, extrusion, blowmolding). It also offers good chemical resistance and resistance to thermo-oxidization, and so it is of particular interest for applications requiring flexibility and prolonged use above 150°C. Unlike conventional polymer alloys, its nanostructuring gives it transparency. The halogen-free fire-retardant Apolhya grades process more easily than crosslinked polymers. As an additive, Apolhya can be used as a compatibilizer or an adhesion promoter during the recycling of polyolefins and polyamides. It can also boost the thermomechanical properties of polyolefin-based thermoplastic elastomers, or improve the impact properties of polyamide 6 and 6,6 formulations.