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Asahi Kasei introduces new halogen-free flame-retardant Polyamide 66


September, 14, 2021 – Asahi Kasei is introducing the halogen and red-phosphorous free flame retardant Polyamide 66 Leona SN to the European market. The company says this semi-aromatic material combines high levels of safety, surface quality and laser printability.

Tightening safety and environmental regulations in the European Union are increasing the demands placed on materials used for electrical appliances and systems. Halogen- and red phosphorous free solutions are the key to ensure the safety of a wide range of applications while at the same time taking a more sustainable approach compared to conventional materials. The Japanese company Asahi Kasei is currently introducing the halogen- and red phosphorous free, semi-aromatic polyamide 66 Leona SN to the European market. The manufacturer says its Leona SN grades are certified with the V-0 flame retardancy at wall thicknesses of 0.75mm according to the UL standard, and achieve 600V, the highest value on the Comparative Tracking Index (CTI), Asahi Kasei claims.

Asahi Kasei claims that, in addition to the flame-retardant and creep-resistant properties, the material features a superior surface quality. This is achieved without additional treatment and coating and even with a glass-fiber content of up to 50%. Another characteristic of this material is its high retention rate of physical properties in a conditioned state. While comparable halogen-free PA66 materials show a significant decline in properties, Leona SN maintains a high level of tensile strength and flexural modulus also after moisture absorption, the company says. This opens up new possibilities for applications in environments, where the use of standard FR PA66 can become an issue.

According to Asahi Kasei, Leona SN provides laser printability (photo) and allows for a clearer surface marking than general materials with red phosphorus in high speed machining of 1000 mm/sec, contributing to an increased speed in production. Applications areas of Leona SN include automotive powertrain items, as well as E&E parts that require flame retardancy, such as connectors, magnet switches, or relay blocks. By fulfilling the requirements for the highest Hazard Level 3 in the categories R22 for interior parts and R23 for exterior parts of the European railway fire safety standard EN 45545, this material is also fit for electrical systems in railway vehicles, the company says.

"Leona SN fulfils the strictest requirements in regard to safety, surface quality and laser printability while at the same time being fully in line with the environmental regulations. The high level of key properties will make this material a problem solver for our customers and open up new possibilities in a broad range of applications", says Taku Ishida, General Manager of the Engineering Plastics Division at Asahi Kasei Europe.

Flame-retardant polymers

The Leona SN series is part of Asahi Kasei's new Leona polyamide resin family. This series also comprises UV resistant grades (SU series), and semi-aromatic grades (SG series) for metal replacement and applications in the automotive interior. Asahi Kasei says they all have in common the combination of surface quality, easy processability and high mechanical performance. Asahi Kasei has a broad portfolio in the field of halogen-free and flame retardant polymers, including the modified polyphenylene ether (mPPE) Xyron and the polyamide 6.6 Leona. The company has also developed the mPPE-based particle beads foam SunForce, the first foam of its kind certified with an UL94 V-0 flame retardance. These materials are suitable for applications in the fields of automotive and E&E (electrical engineering and electronics).

Asahi Kasei Europe will present its engineering plastics portfolio at Fakuma, the international trade fair for plastics processing, from 12 – 16 October 2021 in Friedrichshafen, Germany.

Asahi Kasei Corporation is a globally active diversified technology company with operations in the Material, Homes, and Health Care business. The Material division encompasses fibers & textiles, petrochemicals, performance polymers, performance materials, consumables, battery separators, and electronic devices. The Homes division provides housing and construction materials to the Japanese market. The Health Care division includes pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and acute critical care devices and systems. With more than 44,000 employees around the world, the Asahi Kasei Group serves customers in more than 100 countries and achieved sales of 17.3 billion euros (2,106 billion yen) in the fiscal year 2020 (April 1, 2020 – March 31, 2021).

Source :Asahi Kasei