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Plastics suitable for -40C applications

Plastics suitable for -40C applications

Plastics suitable for -40C applications

(OP)
I'm looking for recommendations on plastics suitable for function at a temperature range down to -40C. This will essentially be a block, its sole functional requirement will be a compressive load, so I need something that doesn't become brittle at -40C. The resin must be injection moldable. I'm currently investigating glass filled nylon. What are good cold temperature resins?

Thank you in advance.

RE: Plastics suitable for -40C applications

ABS as the rubber in it is polybutadiene which has a Tg of -80 so it's still functional at -40C.

Chris DeArmitt PhD FRSC CChem

www.phantomplastics.com
Consultant to the plastics industry

RE: Plastics suitable for -40C applications

For pure compressive stress, most will do. It's the impact strength (iirc) for polymers that is a bit of a disaster at low temps.

LLDPE is good for -70°C, but not much else.

H

www.tynevalleyplastics.co.uk

RE: Plastics suitable for -40C applications

What Pud said.

Chris DeArmitt PhD FRSC CChem

www.phantomplastics.com
Consultant to the plastics industry

RE: Plastics suitable for -40C applications

LLDPE is cheap and good at -40C.

Nylons are not good that cold but impact modifiers help. I would need to check the state of the art with nylons down that low. One problem is the cold air drys them out and nylon impact strength is very dependant on water absorption.

Polyester block co-polymers like Hytrel and Arnitel are very good at -40C but are quite expensive.

Regards
Pat
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RE: Plastics suitable for -40C applications

(OP)
Thanks for the responses. I typically use Matweb for my material research. Is there a better source that specifically lists cold weather resins, for my comparisons? I've noticed that a typical characteristic listed is max temp, indicating the higher limit. I've been using Izod low temp (-40) to compare resins at low temp.

I've looked at rulon, xenoy 6370, and I'll check out LLDPE next. Anyone actually spec a resin in a product for these application temps? Airplanes come to mind (ignoring thermosets).

 

RE: Plastics suitable for -40C applications

If you expect the part to be subject to impact (which I assumed above) then I stand by ABS as a good choice.

The CAMPUS database may be better for you than matweb although I do use MATWEB too.

Plenty of plastics are used at low temperature like Pat said in ski equipment and much more.

Chris DeArmitt PhD FRSC CChem

www.phantomplastics.com
Consultant to the plastics industry

RE: Plastics suitable for -40C applications

Lexan EXL reportedly offers excellent performance at low temperatures.

RE: Plastics suitable for -40C applications

(OP)
Zytel ST801 is a strong candidate, or it's BASF equivalent (maybe Ultramid A3Z HP).

Further discussion with some tech reps has led me to be more comfortable using unfilled nylon 6/6 at these temperatures. The rep cited some GM applications as well as military.  

RE: Plastics suitable for -40C applications

PP and PE can be used at low temps. Alot of it is part design avoiding sharp corners ect.

Many automotive parts have to work at -40C.

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