Lanxess has launched a new PIN flame retardant glass-reinforced polyamide 6 for multi-performance class electrical switches and circuit breakers. The Durethan BKV 25 FN27 material provides the high mechanical strength and thermal stability necessary to withstand short-circuits (HDT heat distortion temperature 155°C under ISO 75-1-2), so can be used in high-current as well as low-voltage applications.
This capacity for use in different voltage classes means economies for manufacturers, who can use the same material in different products, saving logistic and processing costs. The Durethan polyamide is also lower density than mineral-filled compounds, which also improves cost-effectiveness, shrinks isotropically (uniformly in all directions), can be coloured as required, and allows ultrasound welding for high weld strength. The PIN flame retarded material achieves UL94 V-2 at 0.75mm and the best possible GWFI (glow wire flammability index) under IEC 60695-2-11 (960°C, 1mm). First users of the material include the electrical supplies manufacturer Legrand.
Lanxess press release: “Saving costs – one material for several performance classes”, 13th October 2015 http://press.lanxess.com