Four new injection molding compounds incorporating recycled polyamide (PA), glass fiber reinforcement, and performance-enhancing additives provide an excellent balance of cost and performance for applications that do not require the elevated property profiles of premium-priced grades, it was announced today by Teknor Apex Company. The compounds will be introduced by the company at Fakuma 2014 (Hall B5, Stand 5315).Recyclon 400 Series PA6 and 500 Series PA66 compounds are the first Recyclon products available in Europe. In each series, currently available grades have filler content of 15 and 30%. Extensive testing indicates property profiles comparable to standard general-purpose compounds based on prime PA resins (see table). Of particular significance is the fact that all four grades exhibited a minimum of 80% property retention after 1,000 hours of heat aging at 140°C.
Recyclon compounds are available in black color from Teknor Apex's global locations. In Europe the company produces the Recyclon compounds at its Oldbury UK production facility. Besides the four newly released grades, other Recyclon compounds are in development in cooperative programs with customers. Teknor Apex can vary the percentage loadings of recycled polymer to meet customer requirements.
Potential applications range from automotive components that satisfy mandates for use of recycled material to consumer and industrial items where cost reduction is a key consideration.
"Recyclon compounds are backed by the quality assurance of Teknor Apex, one of the world's leading custom compounders and a specialist in polyamide formulations," said Peter Verhooren, senior automotive market manager. "The cost advantages of these products derives from our backward integration into a carpet recycling process that provides a guaranteed supply of high-quality feedstocks."
