Rhodia launches TECHNYL® Heat Performance (HP) PA 6.6 range, giving customers an alternative to PPA in critical applications exposed to increasing under-the-hood temperatures

Düsseldorf, Germany – October 24, 2007 – Today at K 2007 exhibition Rhodia announced the launch of TECHNYL® Heat Performance (HP), a new polyamide 6.6 product family that delivers an advanced solution to meet the growing challenge of increasing under-the-hood temperatures. TECHNYL® HP provides superior retention of properties, specifically when exposed to continuous high temperature, than standard solutions currently available in the market. This innovation broadens the field of polyamide usage to higher heat environments where previously only PPA could offer an answer.

TECHNYL® HP’s excellent retention of properties after high temperature ageing (tested up to 200°C continuous exposure) is due to Rhodia’s expertise in PA 6.6 chemistry and formulation.

With rising under-the-hood temperatures that exclude PA 6 and often standard PA 6.6 usage, TECHNYL® HP will become the only economic solution to meet this growing challenge within the automotive industry.

In addition, TECHNYL® HP offers superior design freedom to applications such as air circuits (air intake manifolds, air ducts, etc) due to the well-known excellent processing behaviour of PA 6.6 compounds.

Besides excellent mechanical properties, TECHNYL® HP shows outstanding burst pressure resistance, specifically under high temperature (tested at 180°C and 200°C) conditions under which PA 6 has no fit, even for short-term temperature peaks (Figure 1).

After 1,000 hours ageing at 200°C, TECHNYL® HP shows no cracking while standard PA 6.6 and current high performance PA 6.6 do. This has been clearly demonstrated through microscopic analysis. The study shows that after 2000 hours at 200°C, TECHNYL® HP samples exhibit less thickness degradation and fewer cracks than competing materials. (Figure 2).

“TECHNYL® HP is a solution the properties of which largely exceed those of standard polyamides,” said Valérie Stoeckel, Rhodia’s Application Development Manager for Automotive Market in Engineering Plastic Business.

“This broadens the polyamide solution to applications previously served by expensive products like polyphtalamides, by providing excellent mechanical properties after high temperature ageing at up to 200°C. Moreover, TECHNYL® HP keeps PA 6.6 processability at a PA 6.6 cost level.”

TECHNYL® HP is available with 35% and 50% glass fibre reinforcement.

Reader enquiries

Rhodia Polyamide
Avenue Ramboz
F-69192 Saint-Fons Cedex
France
+33 4 72 89 27 53
anne-elisabeth.mourey@​eu.rhodia.com
www.eu.rhodia.com

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Notes for editors

Rhodia Polyamide is Rhodia's fully integrated enterprise focusing on Polyamide 6.6. Its strategy rests on three pillars: a high worldwide competitiveness of intermediates & polymers along with strong development of the industrial footprint in fast growing regions; the strengthening of engineering plastics as a growth engine; and a focus on Asia and Brazil as priority regions for expansion beyond our European base. In South America, Rhodia Polyamide also holds strong positions in phenol and adiponitrile route, industrial yarns and fibers. For further details about Rhodia Polyamide visit the website at www.rhodia-polyamide.com.

Rhodia, a chemist, leader in its businesses, is an international industrial group resolutely committed to sustainable development. The Group aims to improve its customers' performance through the pursuit of operational excellence and its ability to innovate. Structured around seven Enterprises, Rhodia is the partner of major players in the automotive, tire, electronics, perfume, health and beauty and home care markets. The Group generated sales of €4.8 billion in 2006 and employs around 16,000 people worldwide. Rhodia is listed on Euronext Paris.

For further details about the Group, visit Rhodia’s website at: www.rhodia.com.