Avoid the Use of Ultra-high-Performance Polymers by Boosting the Performance of Standard Engineering Thermoplastics

If your current polyamide solution is failing to meet critical performance requirements, forcing you to evaluate expensive ultra-high-performance polymers, consider Teknor Apex’s cross-linkable thermoplastics. This unique technology enhances the performance of standard engineering thermoplastics like PA 6, PA 66, PPA, PBT, etc. allowing manufacturers to meet more demanding requirements. These cross-linkable materials are readily processed using standard thermoplastic injection molding equipment and tooling. Cross-linking offers up to 40% cost savings versus exotic resins like PEEK, PPS and LCP.

Creamid® V Cross-linkable Polyamides Offer:

• Improved tolerance for temporary temperature spikes exceeding the polymer melting point
• Mechanical improvements to creep and stress crack resistance
• Better abrasion resistance
• Reduced solubility and swelling in various chemicals
• Better weld line strength
• Excellent thermal recovery from mechanical deformation
• Increased flowability
• Improved glass transition temperatures

This image depicts how cross-linking significantly improves the ability to withstand temperature spikes that may arise in demanding applications. This part is molded from a glass fiber reinforced PA 66, which has a melting point of approximately 265 °C. After cross-linking the part is able to survive temperatures as high as 300 °C for short periods of time.

How Does Cross-linking Work?

Teknor Apex supplies cross-linkable compounds in pellet form, for processing on standard thermoplastic injection molding equipment. Molded parts are then exposed to e-beam radiation, and a three-dimensional network is formed on a molecular level. The cross-linked parts remain unchanged in terms of appearance or size, but part performance is significantly improved.