Solvay Advanced Polymers (Alpharetta, GA) has expanded its range of Amodel polyphthalamide (PPA) resins for automotive electronics applications. New Amodel Electronic (AE) grades reportedly 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," explains Mark Wright, global automotive marketing manager for Solvay Advanced Polymers.

The new AE grades complement Solvay's longstanding Amodel HS (Heat Stabilized) product line which has successfully 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 a leading material solution in electrical/electronics applications. Amodel AE grades eliminate potential 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) in the Amodel PPA product line, making it well-suited for surface mount technology (SMT) and laser welding. The new line also offers AE-8133, which offers the highest retention of dielectric properties in the Amodel product 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.

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

Amodel PPA is one of the industry's most specified materials for automotive under-the-hood applications. For more than 20 years, it has been known for its high flow/fast cycling, high HDT for lead-free soldering, excellent chemical resistance, low moisture absorption/strong dimensional stability, and impact performance for practical toughness.-[email protected]