Friedrichshafen, Germany — The DuPont Transportation & Advanced Polymers unit of DowDuPont Inc. highlighted new grades of high-temperature nylon and polybutylene terephthalate at Fakuma 2018.
The high-temperature nylon is a new grade of bio-based Zytel HTN polyphthalamide. The nonhalogenated, flame-retardant, high-performance material was designed for automotive surface mount technology connectors and a broad range of electrical components.
Officials said the material provides an alternative to thermosets or more expensive specialty polymers while maintaining ease of processing.
New grades of Crastin-brand PBT are being targeted at the electric and hybrid-electric vehicle market. The materials can be colored orange for use in high-voltage connectors.
“We're engaging the whole portfolio in key applications,” Rudy Van Engen, transportation and advanced polymers sales director, said at Fakuma. “Transportation, electrical/electronic and health care will be strategic for our growth in the future.”
“It's important for us to continue to adjust to new requirements in temperature resistance, chemical resistance and other areas,” he said.
The automotive market has been performing well for the unit, according to Van Engen.
“The last two years [in automotive] have been exceptional in terms of growth,” he said. “We're seeing more design activity and more lightweighting, along with changing dynamics in e-mobility.”
At Fakuma, Wilmington, Del.-based DuPont exhibited with distribution partner Biesterfeld GmbH.
DowDuPont also recently launched Ahead, a program designed to use DuPont's materials in future automobiles.
Ahead is focused on lightweighting, battery pack components and assembly, thermal management and safety, electric motors; powertrain and chassis, and electrical and electronics applications.
