SABIC brings out NORYL NHP8000VT3 resin, a product suitable for insulation film used in EV battery modules to help improve protection against short circuits and fire propagation.

This high-performance, polyphenylene ether (PPO)-based resin is engineered with patented technologies to help meet the stringent demands of higher-voltage batteries (600-800 volts).

It achieves the highest comparative tracking index performance level category (CTI PLC0), provides ultra-thin-wall extrusion and thermoforming capability, and meets the UL94 V0 standard at 0.25 mm with non-brominated, non-chlorinated flame retardance.

The resin provides a novel solution to the drawbacks of incumbent insulation films made with polycarbonate (PC) and polypropylene (PP) by delivering stronger CTI performance and thinner-wall FR capability. It can help advance EV battery technology by contributing to occupant safety, weight reduction and higher efficiency for extended range.

SABIC’s NORYL NHP8000VT3 resin is applicable for insulation film used in EV battery modules.

“Transitioning from standard, 400-volt EV batteries to higher voltages offers the potential to shorten charging times, extend range and improve energy management within the vehicle,” said Joshua Chiaw, director, Business Management, LNP & NORYL, Specialties, SABIC. “However, designing higher-voltage batteries requires the invention of breakthrough materials, such as our new NORYL resin for insulation films.”

The new solution is the industry’s first thermoformable material to achieve the highest CTI performance level as well as meeting stringent flame retardancy standards, Joshua Chiaw added.

The CTI PLC, which indicates the maximum voltage a material can withstand without developing tracking, is used to evaluate electrical insulators under exposure to conditions of stress, humidity and contamination.

NORYL NHP8000VT3 resin achieved the highest CTI performance level category of 0 in testing by an independent laboratory, indicating it can withstand 600 volts and greater.

Thermoformed insulation film samples made from the new resin.

While some PP grades can also achieve CTI PLC0, these materials are more difficult to thermoform, often requiring the application of secondary processes to achieve complex shapes.

Furthermore, the resin delivers better mechanical strength than PP at 0.25mm thickness. Polycarbonate, the other incumbent battery insulation material, typically cannot achieve CTI PLC0.

NORYL NHP8000VT3 resin’s ability to meet the UL94 V0 standard at 0.25 mm means it can provide a high level of flame retardance at a thinner film gauge than PC or PP, potentially freeing up valuable space in the battery pack.

Compared to PC, NORYL NHP8000VT3 resin features up to 40% weight reduction due to its lower specific gravity and thinner-wall FR capability. This capability can also potentially benefit other EV applications.

SABIC brings out NORYL NHP8000VT3 resin, a product suitable for insulation film used in EV battery modules to help improve protection against short circuits and fire propagation.

This high-performance, polyphenylene ether (PPO)-based resin is engineered with patented technologies to help meet the stringent demands of higher-voltage batteries (600-800 volts).

It achieves the highest comparative tracking index performance level category (CTI PLC0), provides ultra-thin-wall extrusion and thermoforming capability, and meets the UL94 V0 standard at 0.25 mm with non-brominated, non-chlorinated flame retardance.

The resin provides a novel solution to the drawbacks of incumbent insulation films made with polycarbonate (PC) and polypropylene (PP) by delivering stronger CTI performance and thinner-wall FR capability. It can help advance EV battery technology by contributing to occupant safety, weight reduction and higher efficiency for extended range.

SABIC’s NORYL NHP8000VT3 resin is applicable for insulation film used in EV battery modules.

“Transitioning from standard, 400-volt EV batteries to higher voltages offers the potential to shorten charging times, extend range and improve energy management within the vehicle,” said Joshua Chiaw, director, Business Management, LNP & NORYL, Specialties, SABIC. “However, designing higher-voltage batteries requires the invention of breakthrough materials, such as our new NORYL resin for insulation films.”

The new solution is the industry’s first thermoformable material to achieve the highest CTI performance level as well as meeting stringent flame retardancy standards, Joshua Chiaw added.

The CTI PLC, which indicates the maximum voltage a material can withstand without developing tracking, is used to evaluate electrical insulators under exposure to conditions of stress, humidity and contamination.

NORYL NHP8000VT3 resin achieved the highest CTI performance level category of 0 in testing by an independent laboratory, indicating it can withstand 600 volts and greater.

Thermoformed insulation film samples made from the new resin.

While some PP grades can also achieve CTI PLC0, these materials are more difficult to thermoform, often requiring the application of secondary processes to achieve complex shapes.

Furthermore, the resin delivers better mechanical strength than PP at 0.25mm thickness. Polycarbonate, the other incumbent battery insulation material, typically cannot achieve CTI PLC0.

NORYL NHP8000VT3 resin’s ability to meet the UL94 V0 standard at 0.25 mm means it can provide a high level of flame retardance at a thinner film gauge than PC or PP, potentially freeing up valuable space in the battery pack.

Compared to PC, NORYL NHP8000VT3 resin features up to 40% weight reduction due to its lower specific gravity and thinner-wall FR capability. This capability can also potentially benefit other EV applications.