DuPont at Fakuma 2008: Tailored thermoplastics exceeding traditional materials

articular emphasis will be placed on the application of non-halogen flame retardant polymers in the electrical and electronic industry, as well as the use of heat- and hydrolysis-stabilised grades “under-the-hood”, which present new opportunities for metal substitution.

Innovations in engineering polymers to be presented at the show include DuPont™ Delrin® 300 CP acetal resin, which combines high impact performance, even at low temperatures, high stiffness, strength and elongation at yield with a relatively low melt viscosity, and is particularly efficient during processing.

Moreover, Delrin® 300 CP is within the price range of standard acetal polyoxymethylene (POM) resins. Its range of potential applications is accordingly broad: from automotive components, systems for product handling, sport and leisure goods to mass-production parts such as buckles, clips or spring-loaded devices.

When developing new grades for the electrical and electronic industry, DuPont seeks to combine environmental compatibility with high performance. Illustrating this intention, the company will introduce a range of new non-halogen flame retardant engineering thermoplastics at Fakuma which meet UL 94, V-0-rating requirements.

• DuPont™ Zytel® FR7025V0F and Zytel® FR7026V0F are unreinforced PA66 grades with increased ductility and high tracking resistance (CTI), used, for example, in appliance connectors.

• Zytel® FR70G25NHV0 is a glass-fibre reinforced PA66, with a CTI that is almost double those reached with standard grades.

• Zytel® HTNFR52G30NH is a non-halogen flame retardant polyphthalamide (PPA) from DuPont with 30 wt. % glass fibres, which provides ductility under mechanical load, thermal stability and electrical performance beyond the levels of standard grades of Zytel® HTN. Further benefits include high chemical, humidity and temperature resistance as well very good processability. Accordingly, this material is a prime choice for miniaturised lead free soldering SMT applications.

• DuPont™ Rynite® RE19041 is a new high flow, non-halogen flame retardant polyethylene terephthalate (PET), with properties that are the equivalent of those found in standard flame retardant PETs. Further benefits include minor mold deposit and good self-tap strength.

DuPont™ Hytrel® RS thermoplastic polyester elastomers are partially based on renewably-sourced materials. The individual grades contain between 20 and 60 % of Cerenol™, a renewably-sourced polyol derived from corn. Hytrel® RS thermoplastic polyester elastomers provide all the performance characteristics of traditional Hytrel® materials and can be easily processed by conventional thermoplastic methods. The vast range of potential applications include automotive hoses and tubing, boots for CV joints, air bag doors and energy dampers.

As usual, visitors to the DuPont stand at Fakuma 2008 will come face-to-face with a kaleidoscope of innovative applications made from a multitude of DuPont engineering polymers. Many examples from the automotive sector will reflect the latest achievements in metal substitution for components “under-the-hood”, whereby, in some cases, parts come into direct contact with hot engine oil. Meanwhile, enhanced user-friendliness, and ultimately ease-of-use, is the focal point of exhibits from the medical device sector. New applications for kitchen appliances include lamp holders made from the inherently flame retardant DuPont™ Zenite® LCP liquid crystal polymer resin, which – without compromising on performance – are considerably more cost-effective to produce than their ceramic counterparts. Applications from the consumer-goods, sports and leisure and industrial sectors round off the comprehensive exhibit.

The DuPont Engineering Polymers business manufactures and sells Crastin® PBT and Rynite® PET thermoplastic polyester resins, Delrin® acetal resins, Hytrel® thermoplastic polyester elastomers, DuPont™ ETPV engineering thermoplastic vulcanizates, Minlon® mineral-reinforced nylon resins, Thermx® PCT polycyclohexylene dimethylterephthalates, Tynex® nylon filaments, Vespel® parts and shapes, Zenite® liquid crystal polymers and Zytel® nylon resins and Zytel® HTN high-performance polyamides. These products serve global markets in the aerospace, appliance, automotive, consumer, electrical, electronic, healthcare, industrial, sporting goods and many other diversified industries.

DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.

The DuPont Oval, DuPont™, The miracles of science™, Delrin®, Hytrel®, Rynite®, Zytel® and Zenite® are registered trademarks or trademarks of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company or its affiliates.