POLIMOON SPECIFIES AKULON® ULTRAFLOW® PA6 FOR VOLVO ENGINE COVER

Polimoon Norway, a major European supplier of plastic products and parts, working in collaboration with DSM Engineering Plastics, has chosen DSM’s Akulon® UltraFlow® polyamide 6 (PA6) for production of a new engine cover for the Volvo T6 2.9l V6 engine in the Volvo CX90 sports utility vehicle. The material, Akulon UltraFlow grade K-FGHM24 (10 percent glass and 20 percent mineral filled, heat-stabilised) was chosen for its ability to mould large-area, thin parts with shorter cycle times, better engineering performance and better aesthetics than such competing materials as polypropylene or PA66.

As a major visual component under the bonnet of the top-of-the-line Volvo SUV, the engine cover must meet strict aesthetic requirements for surface finish, moulding quality and resistance to warpage as the result of long-time exposure to heat in the engine compartment.

“Working with Polimoon, we were able to achieve substantial reductions both in cycle time and overall part cost,” said Harry Siepel, Application Development & Technical Service, Akulon for DSM Engineering plastics. “Akulon UltraFlow is capable of parts which are 2.2mm in section across 800-900mm expanses, compared with 2.5mm across 400mm for conventional PA6.”

Compared to polypropylene, Akulon UltraFlow K-FGHM24 provides superior peak temperature resistance, offering a broader range of design options. Compared to conventional PA66, Akulon UltraFlow offers better long-term heat resistance, easier and faster processing and better surface finish, including elimination of post-moulding painting or finishing. Akulon UltraFlow also allows designs with fewer, less prominent ribs, minimising unsightly sink marks on visual surfaces.

In addition to UltraFlow grades with 50% better flow than regular materials, DSM Akulon PA6 formulations include resin without reinforcements or additives; high stiffness (30-40% glass and mineral reinforcement); higher stiffness (>50% glass); high-burst, impact-modified for splinter-free performance as low as -33 °C; ultraviolet (UV)-stable; and blow mouldable grades. Akulon is also available in film and laser-markable grades.

Typical Akulon applications include such under-bonnet automotive components and assemblies as air cleaners, intake manifolds and engine covers; automotive appearance items such as door handles and mirror housings; electrical components such as connectors, junction boxes, and terminal blocks; power tool and lawn and garden enclosures and housings; a wide variety of sports equipment, including ski bindings and inline skates; and a broad range of appliance and building and construction applications.

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Notes for editors

DSM Engineering Plastics

DSM Engineering Plastics is a business group forming part of DSM's Performance Materials cluster. DSM Engineering Plastics is a global supplier of Stanyl PA46 and Akulon® 6 and 66 polyamides, Arnitel® TPE-E, Arnite® PBT and PET polyesters, Xantar® polycarbonate, Yparex® extrudable adhesive resins, and Stamylan® UH Ultra High Molecular Weight PE. These materials are used in technical components for electrical appliances, electronic equipment and cars, in barrier packaging films as well as in many mechanical and extrusion applications. The business group had annual sales of EUR 624 million in 2004. With Stanyl, it is the global market leader in high-heat polyamides.

Akulon®, Arnite®, Arnitel®, Stanyl®, Stamylan® UH, Xantar® and Yparex® are registered trademarks of DSM Engineering Plastics.