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  • Why are DSM materials and Lanxess materials seperated?

    WHY ARE LANXESS MATERIALS AND DSM MATERIALS SEPARATED?​

    Envalior is the newly created joint venture between LANXESS High Performance Materials and DSM Engineering Materials. Until full integration of our product databases, you can select the right material for your application via our separate catalogues.​

    • LANXESS materials include DURETHAN®, POCAN® and TEPEX®

    • DSM materials include AKULON®, ARNITE®, ARNITEL®, ECOPAXX®, FORTII®, NOVAMID®, STANYL® and XYTRON™
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Envalior

PA6 & PA66 - Akulon®

Our Akulon portfolio covers virtually all possible applications with grades suited to all processing techniques, including extrusion, injection and blow molding.

  • Broad portfolio
  • Global grades with global specifications
  • Backwards integrated and a global manufacturing footprint
Product overview

Explore Akulon®

From superior impact strength and high heat resistance to excellent flame retardancy, Akulon delivers properties that help you produce greener, lighter and smarter products. Individual grades can vary by region, so please check in the product database for more detailed information and availability in your area. Our standard offering consists of:

  • Unfilled grades
  • Glass reinforced grades
  • Heat stabilized grades
  • Mineral reinforced grades for better dimensional stability
  • Mineral/glass hybrids for all-around stability and strength
  • Flame retardant portfolio

Our Akulon portfolio covers virtually all possible applications with grades suited to all processing techniques, including extrusion, injection and blow molding. Akulon polyamide 6 & 66 resins represent the best value in all-purpose engineering materials. For molded parts, they offer an excellent balance of easy design and processing with outstanding mechanical properties over a wide temperature range and in diverse operating environments. 

View all akulon grades

Akulon® portfolio highlights

Akulon® for extrusion applications

Akulon polymer grades are available for all main extrusion processes and applications.

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Properties

Thermal

Akulon is ideal for injection molding thanks to its unique combination of short- and long-term low and high temperature properties under various chemical conditions.

Thermal Properties

Temperature considerations

Akulon has a continuous-use temperature of up to 185°C. In fact, the chart below shows that polyamide 6 delivers better long-term performance at high temperatures than polyamide 66 and should be the preferred material for any application running for extended periods above 150°C.

With superior end-of-life properties of up to 60%, polyamide 6 can be used at the design stage, either to reduce the amount of material needed, or by extending durability or part life guarantees.

Short-term temperature spikes

Polyamide 66 is preferred where temperatures spike at above 215°C (the HDT of glass reinforced polyamide 6) but less than 250°C. For even higher temperatures, a material like our super heat-resistant Stanyl polyamide 46 is ideal, for example, in part fabrication where secondary processing under high temperatures happens, such as soldering in electrical applications.

Hydrolysis critical environments

In hot water environments of 100°C+ polyamides can suffer from hydrolysis – especially when glycol (as an anti-freeze additive) is found (the rate being determined by the amount of water absorbed). Because polyamide 66 absorbs less than polyamide 6, its performance is slightly better. However, for reinforced materials, higher fill levels in polyamide 6 mean grades that deliver the same performance as a polyamide 66, with a lower level of reinforcement. This offers benefits in terms of stiffness, but disadvantages in terms of part weight and design flexibility.

Low temperatures

Polyamide 6 has better ductility than polyamide 66. At lower temperatures this makes it a tougher material – less impact sensitive, less notch sensitive and with ductile behavior at lower temperatures. The result: Safer parts (less risk of splintering at low temperatures) and lower breakage levels during processing because parts are tougher coming out of the mold. For unmodified grades where lower temperatures are found, polyamide 6 provides the better performance. Typical applications for this low temperature performance are power tools, ski and snowboard bindings, and automotive exterior parts.

Thermal properties

Akulon performs over a wide temperature range. Unfilled and reinforced materials can be used for demanding engineering applications from as low as -40°C (-40°F) to just below the melting point of the polymer: 220°C (428°F) in the case of polyamide 6 and 260°C (500°F) for polyamide 66.

The high crystallinity and melting point of Akulon enables these materials to retain stiffness at elevated temperatures. For critical applications, this ensures better safety margins and enables thinner walls compared to other materials.

When it comes to measuring properties after aging, this is best performed under real conditions in the application itself. For automotive applications where peak temperatures remain under 180°C (356°F), polyamide 6 provides better heat aging resistance and improved security and durability compared to polyamide 66.

Mechanical

Akulon has a full portfolio that provides excellent long- and short-term mechanical properties.

For high mechanical strength Akulon has 50 and 60% glass filled grades in the portfolio. These are suitable for metal replacement where high strength and fatigue are key.

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Electrical

Akulon has excellent electrical properties and conforms to all global standards.

Flame retardant

The Akulon product line provides a full range of flame-retardant grades.

The Akulon portfolio contains both filled and unfilled glass or mineral grades, including a halogen free flame retardant portfolio.

Most popular Akulon® grades

                                   

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Featured applications

Contact us for more information

Direct and easy access to our broad portfolio of high-performance plastics: request a quote or order a sample. You can also simply ask us a (technical) question. 

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