17 May 2016

Solvay Announces New Technyl® Range Development for Demanding Automotive Electronic Applications

SHANGHAI, China, April 24, 2016 – Solvay Engineering Plastics, a world leader in polyamide materials, announces at Chinaplas 2016 the development of a new Technyl® range for the demanding environment of automotive electronics. This new family of both unfilled and glass fiber reinforced, and heat-stabilized engineering plastics will have a specified and controlled halogen content tailored to fit sensitive electrical and electronic automotive applications.

The use of electronic equipment in automotive engineering is growing rapidly with a prospective growth of 12 percent per year. “Uncompromising reliability of sensitive electrical and electronic applications, such as sensors, relays, bobbins, chargers and control units, is increasingly important to automotive manufacturers,” said Dr. James Mitchell, Global Automotive Market Director for Solvay Engineering Plastics. In all these cases, customized Technyl® grades for electronic applications are demonstrating excellent retention of properties, including high chemical and hydrolysis resistance, even after long-term exposure to elevated temperatures, while at the same time enduring demanding mechanical loads.
“Engineered polyamide compounds have firmly established their role as versatile materials with an excellent cost/performance ratio in the hostile environment of the engine compartment of modern vehicles. Continuing miniaturization and engine downsizing in these application areas have created new challenges in terms of heat performance and electrolytic corrosion resistance,” Dr. Mitchell added.
The broader use of electronic components in automotive engineering has resulted in a stronger focus on the interaction of conductor paths and over-molding materials used as carriers and electric insulators. Chemical additives as commonly-used inorganic heat stabilizers tend to interact with metallic alloys on conductor paths and reduce the isolation properties of the polymer, potentially causing electrolytic corrosion and subsequent malfunctions, notably in hot and humid Asian climates.
“Due to specific additive systems, our new Technyl® formulations can help reduce this risk with significant benefits over competing engineering thermoplastics and more expensive specialties,” concluded Dr. Mitchell.
Solvay Engineering Plastics has more than 30 years of experience in customizing the performance of its Technyl® products to the precise requirements of electrical and electronics applications. Beyond this extensive expertise, the supplier also supports its customers with dedicated design, prototyping and testing services. Custom-tailored solutions can be compounded at Asian facilities to the same exacting standards of quality and consistency as in Solvay Engineering Plastics’ facilities in Europe and the Americas.
® Registered trademark of Solvay
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Photo Caption:
At Chinaplas 2016, Solvay Engineering Plastics showcased its advanced Technyl® PA6.6 solutions for applications in the demanding environment of automotive electronics, including both unfilled, glass fiber reinforced and heat stabilized grades with low corrosion potential.
Photo courtesy Solvay Engineering Plastics

About Solvay Engineering Plastics

Solvay Engineering Plastics is the global specialist in polyamide-based engineering plastics, with more than 60 years of experience in the development, manufacture and marketing of a complete range of high-performance materials under the Technyl® brand for demanding applications in automotive, electrical and electronics, construction, consumer goods and other markets. With a growth strategy bolstered by six production sites worldwide, Solvay Engineering Plastics employs its expertise and innovation capabilities in order to serve the needs of its customers more closely through a global network of technical and R&D centers. Learn more on Technyl® brand at www.technyl.com.

About Solvay

An international chemical and advanced materials company, Solvayassists its customers in innovating, developing and delivering high-value, sustainable products and solutions which consume less energy and reduce CO2 emissions, optimize the use of resources and improve the quality of life. Solvay serves diversified global end markets, including automotive and aerospace, consumer goods and healthcare, energy and environment, electricity and electronics, building and construction as well as industrial applications. Solvay is headquartered in Brussels with about 30,900 employees spread across 53 countries. It generated pro forma net sales of € 12.4 bn in 2015, with 90% made from activities where it ranks among the world’s top 3 players. Solvay SA (SOLB.BE) is listed on Euronext in Brussels and Paris (Bloomberg: SOLB:BB – Reuters: SOLB.BR).