Additives to ensure the thermal stability of engineering plastics such as polyamides are key components in automotive parts. As electric vehicles proliferate, however, potential corrosion of metallic components, such as overmolded sensors, has become a concern. To address this issue, Brüggemann has developed an electrically neutral long-term thermo-stabilizer that is copper- and halogen-free.
Bruggolen TP-H2217 has been specially developed for reinforced and unreinforced aliphatic polyamides (PAs) with metal- and halogen-free flame retardancy requirements. It meets the needs of electrical and electronic applications, including those of e-mobility. Despite its high efficiency, the additive doesn’t have a corrosive effect on metallic components and won’t alter the electrical properties of the polymer it is protecting in any significant way, said the company.
Image courtesy of Brüggemann  |
| New metal- and halogen-free stabilizers from Brüggemann are designed to meet increased requirements coming from the electrical and electronics industry and especially e-mobility. |
The efficiency of Bruggolen TP-H2217’s long-term stabilization is demonstrated by its use in a 30% glass-fiber-reinforced PA 66 grade. After 8,000 hours of heat exposure at 170°C, the tensile strength values were still greater than 50% of their initial values.
A key requirement of any additives used in e-mobility applications is that the flame retardancy properties of those applications are not harmed. Bruggolen TP-H2217 is neutral in this respect as is Brüggemann’s new flow enhancer, Bruggolen TP-P2201, which is used to process glass-fiber-reinforced PAs into thin-walled and complex components with long flow paths.
Dr Kristina Frädrich, Product Manager at Brüggemann, comments: "With Bruggolen TP-H2217, compounders, for the first time, can produce polyamide materials that combine a UL94 V-0 classification — electrical neutrality as well as permanent heat resistance at elevated temperatures — and, thus are specially tailored to the increased requirements of e-mobility. With this combination, which neither phenol- nor amine-based grades can offer, Brüggemann raises the bar for thermo-stabilizers by a considerable margin."
Bruggolen TP-H2217 is available as an easy-to-process masterbatch in granular form, with a level of 3% proving sufficient for many applications in laboratory trials.
