Teijin’s PBN resin has better wear properties than PPS and polyacetal, excellent chemical resistance, superior gas and barrier properties, and superior sliding characteristics according to the supplier. Abrasion loss is almost three times less than POM and PPS as shown by taper abrasion tests at room temperature, and at least twice as good at a temperature of 60ºC. In fact, it is superior to PEEK resin at room temperature, and on a par with the advanced engineering plastic at 60ºC.

PBN is finding use when meshing of gears made from the same material is undesirable and current commercial applications include components in gear-change levers, says Akihiko Kumaoka, general manager of the Mobility Business Project at Teijin Limited (Tokyo).

“It produces smooth and silent, yet firm movement when gears are changed,” says Kumaoka. “Automakers are also working to reduce the quantity of VOCs in the cabin and PBN has advantages on this front," he adds. Additional current applications in the mobility sector include cable encapsulation in trains, where the resin proves to be resistant to abrasion between individual cables.

PBN is making inroads despite its relatively high pricing of ¥2000–3000/kg ($25–37). Its superior gas-barrier properties have seen it applied as a backsheet material for solar battery chargers where a service life of less than 10 years would be anticipated and the charger would typically be used indoors. Backsheets are normally comprised of multilayer structures.—[email protected]