A PA6.6 compound based on recyclate with a notched impact strength of 70 kJ/m² at ‑30°C – now that’s something special. The high-impact polyamide 6.6 compounds ENTRON eco A I3 BK achieve this. At a temperature of 23°C, the notched impact strength remains as high as 90 kJ/m².
The ‘Winter’ compounds owe their excellent mechanical properties to special formulation developments and sophisticated process optimisations. ‘The crucial factor here is gentle compounding combined with the right additives,’ explains Product Developer Ugur Alparslan. The result is impressive and is a real asset, especially for use at low temperatures. Regardless of whether we are talking about cooling or air intake systems in cars, for example, or bearings and gears that have to function even in winter, refrigerator components, connecting elements, bicycle components or ski boot locking mechanisms – the mechanical properties of the components must not deteriorate even when things get extremely cold.
‘We develop new compounds when we see a demand from our customers. There is plenty of demand on the market for low-temperature applications in particular. Customers are paying more and more attention to the carbon footprint of products, and this is progressively contributing to the purchasing decision. Our customers are responding to this and are increasingly asking for recyclates that can keep up with the properties of brand-new products,’ emphasises Selvin Unlu, Head of Application Technology and Market Development.
The example of bicycle pedals in the text box shows that end consumers do have an influence on climate targets through their purchasing decisions:
Bicycle pedals case study
According to the Confederation of the European Bicycle Industry, more than 10 million bicycles are manufactured in Europe every year. This case study looks at how aluminium pedals were replaced with ENTRON eco PA6.6GF30.
The weight of an MTB aluminium pedal is stated by a well-known manufacturer as 315 g. By substituting the aluminium material with ENTRON eco PA6.6GF30, the weight is reduced to 159 g, but they still retain the same mechanical characteristics. If the 10 million pedals required for just 5 million bicycles are made from ENTRON eco PA6.6GF30 instead of aluminium, the amount of CO2 saved is staggering:
Calculation of carbon footprint – aluminium versus ENTRON eco PA6.6GF30:
Aluminium:
CO2 emissions with aluminium1: 8,5 kg CO2-eq/kg
10 million bicycle pedals × 0,315 kg = 3.15 million kg total weight Aluminium pedals
3.15 million kg x 8,5 kg CO2 eq/kg =26.8 million kg CO2-eq
ENTRON eco PA6.6GF30:
CO2 emissions with ENTRON eco PA6.6GF30: 0,773 kg CO₂-eq/ kg
10 million bicycle pedals × 0,159 kg = 1.59 million kg total weight ENTRON eco PA6.6GF30-pedals
1.59 million kg × 0,773 CO2-eq/ kg = 1.23 million kg CO2-eq
1according to the Aluminium Association
Replacing aluminium with ENTRON eco PA6.6GF30 reduces the carbon footprint of the bicycle pedals in this case study by 95 per cent!
Thanks to the two new products ENTRON eco A I2 BK and ENTRON eco A I3 BK, Enneatech is able to provide the market with a high-quality and environmentally friendly material. The PA6.6 compounds come close to the mechanical properties of a brand-new product. The consistent quality of the two highly impact-resistant products is important. This is all down to the raw materials – the polyamide by-products from the high-end textile industry. Before they enter the extruder at ENNEATECH, they undergo numerous laboratory analyses and tests. This ensures a consistently high level of quality.
The graph shows the notched impact strength of ENTRON eco A I2 BK and ENTRON eco A I3 BK in comparison with impact-modified PA6.6 new material:
The illustration speaks for itself: With its 70 kJ/m² at ‑30°C and 90 kJ/m² at 23°C, the highly impact-resistant ENTRON eco A I3 BK is miles ahead. For applications that require low mechanical strength, ENTRON eco A I2 BK scores highly with an impact strength of 13 kJ/m² at 23°C and 10 kJ/m² at ‑30°C. This means that two materials with outstanding notched impact strength are available for applications in cold weather conditions, which significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the resulting components.
