Stanyl® PA46 for fibres and films

06-Dec-06

Stanyl®, a high-heat polyamide 4,6 (PA46) resin, introduced by DSM Engineering Plastics, is adding fibre and film as a new market segment to its existing portfolio of injection moulded, high-tech and high-heat engineered applications. Processing of Stanyl into filament or sheet can be accomplished with standard equipment running at temperatures slightly higher than conventional materials. Because Stanyl does not cross-link under heat, the material presents processing advantages as well. It does not gel or build up in equipment internals, even when subjected to long dwell times in mixers, injection screws and extrusion dies. In fact, the viscosity of Stanyl becomes lower with heat ageing, making it in effect self-cleaning, avoiding the periodic line stoppage and tear-down required to clean out gels formed by other PA types. Stanyl-based fibre and film offer the benefit of its characteristice that include high crystallinity, resulting extraordinary mechanical properties and its high melting point, high temperature resistance and high wear and abrasion resistance. At lower cost, it provides mechanical properties than engineering materials as PA 6 PA66, PPS, PEEK, aramid and fluorinated polymers. Fibre applications include staple for felted products - its affinity to water makes it ideal for papermaking blankets - as well as industrial yarns for airbag seam thread, abrasion-resistant garments and protective composite fabrications. Filament uses include such diverse applications as professional hairbrushes, and as rubber reinforcement for v-belts, automotive hose and tire tread and carcass uses. It has shown excellent performance as automotive air-bag thread, a highly demanding application. During inflation of the airbag, seams are severely stressed by the explosion. The stitch holes in the seam open, and the hot inflation gasses flow out, causing intensive short-term heating of the sewing thread. Film applications include a range of high-heat products, from gaskets to stamped bearing surfaces, to dielectric and solderable sheet for electronics, all of which take advantage of the material's heat or abrasion resistance. Stanyl film additionally provides an excellent barrier to chemical permeation.