New Impact Modifier from DuPont for Cost Efficient Intermediate Toughening of Polyamides

Stiff engineering thermoplastics like polyamides become very hard and brittle even at room temperature conditions when they are released from the mold. Blending or letting them drop just after molding may result in brittle failure. After some time they will absorb water and water will plasticise these polymers and 'flexibilise' them for everyday use. However at low temperatures they will remain brittle. These characteristics pose real problems for applications requiring stronger, impact-resistant parts.

In order to overcome the low temperature brittleness, as well as shorten the post-moulding wait time, functionalised ethylene copolymer based modifers play an important role.

The latest innovation in DuPont® P&IP (Packaging & Industrial Polymers) is a new modifier - Fusabond® A EB-560D. Fusabond® A EB-560D is a chemically modified ethylene acrylate copolymer for use in applications requiring intermediate toughening for PA6 and PA 6,6 ( -20°C ; 5-15% addition).

Fusabond® AEB-560D is characterized by good low temperature toughness combined with high flow and increased elongation of the toughened polymer at reasonable cost, making it cost effective and suitable solution for all but the super-tough applications.

DuPont® Fusabond® AEB-560D resin delivers comparable toughness versus traditional maleic anhydride acrylate terpolymer tougheners; however, it also provides additional performance attributes. It improves mold flow, produces less reduction in flexural modulus than incumbent intermediate tougheners, provides surface finish advantages, and creates a more cost-effective toughener that maintains its resiliency from room temperature to - 20°C. In addition to this grade, other acrylate maleicanhydride- based modifiers are in development process . The potential application will be coupling agent in halogen-free flame retardant thermoplastic for wire and cable compositions.