4 Jul 2006
Rhodia Polyamide Announces Introduction of New TECHNYL® XCell 6.6 and 6 Polyamide Grades Optimized for Use with Trexel’s MuCell® Process
Chicago, Illinois, June 19, 2006 – Officials from Rhodia Polyamide’s Engineering Plastics Business Unit present at NPE 2006 today announced the introduction of new TECHNYL® XCell 6.6 and 6 polyamide grades optimized for use with Trexel’s MuCell® process. These new grades are the first technology deliverables from Rhodia as part of their newly signed global co-marketing and development agreement, where Rhodia will actively develop and commercialize new material technology optimized for the MuCell® process, and where Trexel will work exclusively with Rhodia for polyamide applications. These new resins will be available in industrial quantities during the third quarter of 2006. However, they are available immediately in trial quantities.
The Rhodia/Trexel strategy is to work together to bring new value to applications in a variety of important polyamide markets. In automotive, for example, this new material/process combination brings new levels of value and performance to under-the-hood applications like rocker covers and air intake manifolds, and offers promise for the development of a new generation of thermoplastic polyamide front end modules.
Rhodia has specifically adapted its Technyl Star™ technology to the MuCell® process to develop new Nylon 6 TECHNYL® XCell grades. Thanks to Technyl Star™ resin’s flow behavior (spiral length +200% versus standard PA), these new grades offer enhanced processability and good property retention when used in theMuCell® process, while maintaining an excellent surface aspect.
Development efforts have also shown excellent property retention and good surface characteristics with MuCell® specific Nylon 6.6 which are also characterized by a high flow: +160% versus standard polyamide.
Industrial trials with TECHNYL® XCell have proven that a 10% density savings is achievable with outstanding retention of rigidity, Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT) and notched impact performance. Additional advantages of these new materials when used with the MuCell® process include weight reduction, less warpage, faster injection molding, low injection pressure and lower molded-in stress.
Reader enquiries
Rhodia Engineering Plastics
Avenue Ramboz
F-69192 Saint-Fons Cedex
France
Notes for editors
About the MuCell® Process
The MuCell® microcellular foam injection molding technology is a complete process and equipment technology which facilitates extremely high quality and greatly reduces production costs. The MuCell® Process involves the controlled use of gas in its supercritical state to create a foamed part. For injection molding applications, the MuCell® Technology is targeted at precision and engineered plastic components with variable wall thicknesses, generally in the range of 3-4mm. or less.
The quality advantages of the MuCell® Process are complemented by certain direct economic advantages, including the ability to produce 20-33% more parts per hour on a given molded machine, and the ability to mold parts on lower tonnage machines as a result of the viscosity reduction and the elimination of the packing requirement that accompanies the use of supercritical gas.
Trexel Inc., located in Woburn, Massachusetts is an investor and employee-owned company specializing in the development and commercialization of microcellular foam processes for the plastics industry. Trexel has Sales and Support Offices in key regions of the world, and also has many alliances with equipment companies, contract manufacturers, materials suppliers, and premier molding organizations, all dedicated to the optimal use of the MuCell® Process to improve quality and reduce manufacturing costs.
Rhodia Polyamide is an upstream integrated company providing intermediates for polyamide and other applications, polyamide polymers, as well as a complete downstream range of added value products including engineering plastics polyamide 6.6 and 6 based, industrial polyamide yarns, technical and consumer polyamide fibers and textile yarns. With seventeen state-of-the art production facilities along with R&D and technical centers, Rhodia Polyamide serves customers on every continent, with the capability to develop products and technologies locally.
Rhodia is a global specialty chemicals company recognized for its strong technology positions in Performance Materials, Functional Chemicals and the Organics and Services clusters. Partnering with major players in the automotive, electronics, pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, consumer care, tires, and paints and coatings markets, Rhodia offers tailor-made solutions combining original molecules and technologies to respond to customers’ needs. Rhodia subscribes to the principles of Sustainable Development communicating its commitments and performance openly with stakeholders. Rhodia generated sales of €5 billion in 2005 and employs around 19,500 people worldwide. Rhodia is listed on the Paris and New York stock exchanges.
MuCell® and Trexel are registered trademarks of Trexel, Inc. Technyl® is a registered trademark of Rhodia.
TECHNYL STAR™ is a trademark of Rhodia.
Related images
Flexural Strength: 10% density saving with only a 10% flexural strength reduction
Flexural Modulus: 10% density saving with no flexural modulus change
10% density saving with no notched impact change
10% density saving with only a 10% impact strength reduction
10% density saving with no HDT change
