Impact resistant, low-emission DuPont Delrin POM extends scope of use in automotive interiors.New low-emission DuPont Delrin 300TE acetal resin (POM) is the first impact-modified POM from DuPont Performance Polymers (DuPont) to meet the automotive industry's demanding requirements for the use of plastics in vehicle interiors. This extends the scope of application for Delrin® acetal resins in vehicles to include plastic components in interiors, where high resistance to impact load is required.
"In the light of rising demand for quality among consumers, the automotive industry sets extremely low limits for the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOC)," said Hans-Hermann Kirner, material development manager for automotive interiors at DuPont. "Tests of samples of the new impact-modified Delrin300TE, conducted by the renowned independent Fresenius Institute in Herten, Germany, revealed formaldehyde emissions of 1.0 mg/m² and lower. Such results are considerably below the limit of 2.0 mg/m² set by leading German OEMs and mean that the new material meets the world' is most stringent requirements with regard to VOC emissions in this sector."
With a melt flow index (MFI190/2,16) of 6 g/10min, Delrin 300TE bridges the gap between Delrin 100T (MFI = 2), which combines high viscosity with very high impact resistance, and the medium viscosity, stiffer Delrin 500T (MFI = 12).
Delrin® 300TE is considerably more impact resistant than Delrin 300PE, a previously launched low-emission grade that also is suitable for use in automotive interiors. It achieves a notched impact strength at 23°C of 18 kJ/m² (Delrin 300PE: 11 kJ/m²). At –30°C, the notched impact strength of the new 300TE grade is still as high as 10 kJ/m² (300PE: 8 kJ/m²).
As with all members of the acetal resin family from DuPont, new Delrin 300TE also combines high strength, hardness and stiffness over a broad temperature range with high abrasion resistance and a low coefficient of friction, a high heat deflection temperature, good electrical and dielectric properties and high dimensional stability.
Kirner adds: "Thanks to its high-melt flow, thin-walled parts with long flow paths — for instance the struts used in headrests — are among the principal areas for developments in Delrin 300TE. In general all POM grades are suitable for use in low-noise and low-friction control and drive systems." Additional low-emission grades for delicate, small parts are in development.
