Extrusion International USA 5-2021

65 Extrusion International 5/2021 Asahi Kasei Europe https://asahikasei.group/eu/leona-sn/ Asahi Kasei B5-5319 Asahi Kasei is introducing the halo- gen and red-phosphorous free fl ame retardant Polyamide 66 LEONA™ SN to the European market. This semi- aromatic material combines high lev- els of safety, surface quality and laser printability. Tightening safety and environmental regulations in the European Union are increasing the demands placed on materials used for electrical ap- pliances and systems. Halogen- and red phosphorous free solutions are the key to ensure the safety of a wide range of applications while at the same time taking a more sustainable approach compared to conventional materials. The Japanese technology company Asahi Kasei is currently introducing the halogen- and red phosphorous free, semi-aromatic polyamide 66 LEONA™SN to the Europeanmarket. The LEONA™ SN grades are certi fi ed with the V-0 fl ame retardancy at wall thicknesses of 0.75mm according to the UL standard, and achieve 600V, the highest value on the Compara- tive Tracking Index (CTI). Inaddition to the fl ame-retardant and creep-resistant properties, the mate- rial features a superior surface qual- ity. This is achieved without additional treatment and coating and even with a glass- fi ber content of up to 50%. Another characteristic of this mate- rial is its high retention rate of physi- cal properties in a conditioned state. While comparable halogen-free PA66 materials show a signi fi cant decline in properties, LEONA™ SN maintains a high level of tensile strength and fl exural modulus also after moisture absorption. This opens up new pos- sibilities for applications in environ- ments, where the use of standard FR PA66 can become an issue. Furthermore, LEONA™ SN provides an excellent laser printability and allows for a clearer surface mark- ing than general materials with red phosphorus in high speed machining of 1000 mm/sec, con-tributing to an increased speed in production. “LEONA™ SN ful fi ls the strictest re- quirements in regard to safety, sur- face quality and laser printability while at the same time being fully in line with the environmental regula- tions. The high level of key proper- ties will make this material a problem solver for our customers and open up new possibilities in a broad range of applications”, says Taku Ishida, General Manager of the Engineer- ing Plastics Divi-sion at Asahi Kasei Europe. The LEONA™ SN series is part of Asa- hi Kasei’s new LEONA™ polyamide resin family. This series also com- prises UV resistant grades (SU series), and semi-aromatic grades (SG series) for metal replacement and applica- tions in the automotive interior. They all have in common the unparalleled combination of excellent surface quality, easy processability and high mechanical performance. Asahi Kasei has a broad portfo- lio in the fi eld of halogen-free and fl ame retardant polymers, including the modi fi ed polyphenylene ether (mPPE) XYRON™ and the polyamide 6.6 LEONA™. Leveraging its expertise in this area even further, the com- pany has developed the mPPE-based particle beads foam SunForce™, the fi rst foam of its kind certi fi ed with an UL94 V-0 fl ame retardance. New Halogen-Free Flame-Retardant Polyamide: LEONA™ SN offers good laser transparency and laser printability