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New PC Copolymers Help Mobility Design for Durability
Performance of the new materials reportedly equals PC/PBT, and applications extend beyond mobility to include healthcare and consumer electronics.
Posted by Staff
June 14, 2023
4 Min Read
solarseven/iStock via Getty Images
A new range of specialized polycarbonate (PC) copolymers delivers the chemical resistance required for a host of mobility and industrial applications, according to supplier Sabic. The LNP CRX products are being showcased at the smarter E Europe 2023 show (booth B6.115) in Munich this week.
Other features of the LNP CRX portfolio include a high UL 746C F1 weatherability rating, low-temperature ductility, and resistance to high levels of heat, humidity, and overall challenging environmental conditions. Improved durability of the material helps extend the useful life of parts, thereby advancing sustainability goals through lower demand for raw materials, energy, water, and other resources. It also helps customers protect their brand reputation and minimize costly recalls and warranty claims, according to Sabic.
Durability and sustainability benefits
The additions to the LNP CRX copolymer resin portfolio are suited for applications across several market sectors, including healthcare and consumer electronics.
“One important aspect of sustainability is finding new ways to extend the service life of products,” said Sabic’s Joshua Chiaw, director of business management, LNP & Noryl, Specialties. “Although durability hasn’t received as much attention as recycling, it could reduce environmental impact across the application lifecycle. Sabic’s sustainability strategy not only focuses on incorporating recycled, upcycled, and renewable content in our thermoplastics, but also on the development of highly durable materials that help prevent premature disposal and waste. We continue to expand our LNP CRX family with new products and new target applications to help more customers design for durability.”
Chemical resistance foundational to resin family
The signature property of all LNP CRX copolymer resins is their chemical resistance. In fact, the first grades in the portfolio offered enhanced chemical resistance for medical devices exposed to repeated cleanings with aggressive disinfectants. The growing family of LNP CRX resins is also resistant to motor oil, gasoline, turpentine, caustic soda, and brake fluid used in the mobility sector; industrial chemicals such as brake fluid and tar remover; and lotions, sunscreen, hand sanitizers, and skin oils that affect consumer electronics.
The amorphous copolymer resins often deliver chemical resistance comparable to crystalline materials, such as flame retardant (FR) polycarbonate/polybutylene terephthalate (PC/PBT) blends, and can surpass the performance of other amorphous resins such as FR PC and impact-modified FR polycarbonate/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (PC/AB) blends.
In addition, all LNP CRX grades provide non-brominated/non-chlorinated flame retardancy and good processability for both injection molding and extrusion. They meet both ultraviolet (UV) and water immersion requirements (F1 rating) for outdoor use under UL 746C.
On show at smarter E Europe
Sabic is highlighting three of its newest LNP Elcres CRX grades at smarter E Europe, which runs through June 16, 2023:
LNP Elcres CRX9416U copolymer resin is planned for commercialization later this year. It is an injection molding grade offering UL 94 V-0 compliance at 1.5 mm, and heat resistance of 145°C, as measured by Vicat B/120 (ISO 306). It will be custom colorable with an all-color UL Solutions Yellow Card.
LNP Elcres CRX9016E copolymer resin, available in black, is formulated for extrusion processing. It provides UL 94 V-0 compliance at 1.5 mm, low shrinkage, long-term ductility, and heat resistance of 145°C, as measured by Vicat B/120 (ISO 306). It was commercialized in early 2023.
LNP Elcres CRX7416U copolymer resin, introduced in 2022, is a custom colorable, injection molding grade. UL 94 V-0 compliant at 1.0 mm and with very high flow properties (MVR of 13 g/10 min.), the material may enable thin-wall designs with complex geometries to reduce material usage. This product has lower heat resistance — 131°C, as measured by Vicat B/120 (ISO 306) — than the other two grades.
Bio-based versions of these materials, supplied under the LNP Elcrin CRX brand, provide equivalent performance to the fossil-based grades. They use renewable feedstock derived from non-fossil waste materials that do not compete with the food chain and are certified under ISCC Plus. These bio-based grades can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 38% compared with the fossil-based versions.
Sabic will display several sample components made with these materials, including injection molded enclosures, housings and connectors, and extruded profile and sheet products.
“Our LNP CRX copolymer resin family, which initially was positioned in medical devices requiring resistance to disinfectants, is steadily growing with new grades to serve demanding needs required in other markets,” said Luc Govaerts, technology director of specialties. “Our latest additions leverage our proprietary copolymer technology to provide excellent resistance to chemicals and extreme environmental exposures faced by high-performing durable applications such as electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and EV and e-bike batteries. These high-performing, more-durable materials help extend service lifetimes for our customers.”
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