Ascend Performance Materials, the world’s largest fully integrated producer of polyamide 66 resin, launched Vydyne FR350J, a new high performance compound based on polyamide 66 (PA66) that will bring extra safety to electrical connectors used in unattended home appliances. The grade is one of the highlights at Ascend’s booth at the Fakuma plastics processing exhibition in Friedrichshafen, Germany, October 17-21.In addition to excellent electrical and flammability properties, Vydyne FR350J also exhibits high ductility and elongation at break (15 percent), providing engineers with greater freedom when designing parts such as living hinges and snap fits.
The new unreinforced, flame-retardant compound also has superior melt flow and requires lower pressure to fill molds; reducing cycle times and production costs. Vydyne FR350J has a wide processing window and is color stable for natural and colorable applications.
“Home appliances are getting smarter and demand for these so-called ‘smart’ products continues to grow. That means they will incorporate more electronics and more connectors,” said Vikram Gopal, Ascend’s vice president of technology. “Vydyne FR350J will make sure that appliances are safe as well as smart.”
Best-in-class performance
Additional features of Vydyne FR350J include an RTI electrical rating of 130°C (RTI is the relative temperature index; RTI electrical is an indication of how critical electrical insulating properties vary with temperature) and a UL94 V-0 flammability rating at thicknesses down to 0.4 mm. The flame retardant additive package is REACH and RoHS compliant and exhibits low corrosion for improved electrical contact performance.Vydyne FR350J exhibits a best-in-class glow wire ignition temperature (GWIT) of 960°C at all thicknesses (up to 3.0 mm) according to the test method IEC 60695-1-13. Finished molded parts tested according to IEC 60335-1 achieved glow-wire end product test values of 750°C at all thicknesses. Vydyne FR350J also achieves PLC 0 ratings in hot wire ignition (HWI) and high amp arc ignition (HAI) tests carried out according to UL 746A.
Source: Ascend Performance Materials
