MOSCOW (MRC) -- Life sciences and material sciences company Royal DSM (Heerlen / The Netherlands) has signed a partnership agreement with long fibre thermoplastic (LFT) specialist Plasticomp (Winona, Minnesota / USA) to develop bio-based LFT composite materials based on DSM’s "EcoPaXX" polyamide 4.10, said Plasteurope.
The lightweight materials, which include compounds reinforced with glass fiber as well as carbon fiber, will be targeted at automotive and other performance-driven markets.
The companies said that, following initial compounding, moulding and testing of carbon-fiber reinforced EcoPaXX, they have established benchmark composites for high-temperature (up to 200°C) and structural applications. EcoPaXX polyamide 4.10 is 70% derived from renewable resources.
In addition to automotive applications, the composites are suitable for metal-replacement applications such as electro-magnetic interference (EMI) shielding for electronics and radiolucency in X-ray applications.
DSM and Plasticomp said they will collaborate with potential customers to design injection-molded composite parts using computer-aided engineering (CAE) tools.
As MRC wrote before, DSM developed a new thermoplastic elastomer - Arnitel VT - for production of waterproof and highly breathable ultrathin membranes to be used in outdoor clothing. Arnitel VT is a very flexible thermoplastic elastomer that, when made into membranes just a few microns thick, is 100% waterproof but also highly breathable and comfortable. The material contains no PFCs (perfluorinated chemicals) and is 100% recyclable.
Royal DSM is a global science-based company active in health, nutrition and materials. DSM delivers innovative solutions that nourish, protect and improve performance in global markets such as food and dietary supplements, personal care, feed, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, automotive, paints, electrical and electronics, life protection, alternative energy and bio-based materials.
MRC