Latest PPA resins from Solvay targets automotive electronic applications

Solvay Advanced Polymers LLC, a subsidiary company of the Solvay Group, has expanded its range of Amodel polyphthalamide (PPA) resins for automotive electronics applications, its press release said on September 15.

The new Amodel Electronic (AE) grades is said to eliminate corrosion issues in high temperature and high humidity conditions for a range of applications including sensors, connectors, electric motors, electronic control unit housings, bobbins, solenoids, and other circuit protection.

"In an age when under-the-hood designs have resulted in hotter, more humid, and more compact spaces, we've developed unique solutions to help our customers meet these very challenging and highly demanding environments," explained Mark Wright, Global Automotive Marketing Manager for Solvay Advanced Polymers.

As introduced, the new AE grades complement Solvay's longstanding Amodel HS (Heat Stabilized) product line which has served the automotive industry for more than 20 years. The AE line has been specially formulated to prevent corrosion issues while still maintaining the high-performance attributes that have made Amodel PPA suitable for electrical/electronics applications. Amodel AE grades eliminate the possible shorting out or cross talk between sensitive electrical contacts.

The AE line includes AE-4133, a high-flow, fast-cycling injection moldable material available in black and natural. The water-moldable material delivers the highest heat distortion temperature (300‵C/572‵F) in the Amodel PPA product line, making it well-suited for surface mount technology (SMT) and laser welding, said Solvay.

The new line also offers AE-8133, which offers the highest retention of dielectric properties in the Amodel line and is available in black. AE-8133 is processed on oil-heated injection molds and is particularly suited for power electronics applications for hybrid vehicles, the company stated.

Solvay has also introduced a developmental grade, Amodel PXM-11229, which is a partially bio-based material that offers up to 5% lower specific gravity and one-third the moisture absorption vs comparable glass-reinforced standard Amodel grades according to its press release.