Toughened Polyamide Molding Compounds for Extrusion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing impact-modified polyamide molding compounds lack sufficient toughness, particularly at room and low temperatures, and have issues with extrudability and surface smoothness in extruded moldings.

Innovation Solution

A polyamide molding compound composition comprising specific weight ratios of semi-crystalline polyamides, impact modifiers, and additives, which includes functionalized components and specific processing conditions to achieve enhanced mechanical properties and extrudability, ensuring a smooth surface in extruded products.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If impact modifiers are added to polyamide molding compounds to improve toughness, then impact strength and elongation at break improve, but extrudability deteriorates and surface smoothness is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact strengthVSAvoidextrudability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the weight ratio of polyamide to impact modifier within 85:15 to 60:40, and adjusting the melt index of the polyamide to specific ranges (5-50 g/10min). These parameter optimizations enable the material to achieve both high impact strength and good extrudability, resolving the contradiction between toughness improvement and manufacturing ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system combining polyamide with specifically selected impact modifiers (ethylene-propylene copolymer, ethylene-1-butene copolymer, or styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer). This composite approach allows the material to simultaneously exhibit the structural integrity of polyamide and the impact resistance of elastomeric modifiers, while maintaining extrudability through proper composition design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If impact modifiers are added to polyamide molding compounds to improve toughness, then impact strength and elongation at break improve, but surface smoothness of extruded products deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact strengthVSAvoidsurface smoothness
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes processing parameters including melt temperature (220-280°C), mold temperature (20-80°C), and injection pressure (50-200 MPa) to ensure proper flow and surface finish. The controlled melt index range (5-50 g/10min) of the polyamide component is critical for achieving smooth surfaces while maintaining impact strength improvements from the elastomeric modifiers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If elastomeric copolymers or synthetic olefinic rubbers are used as impact modifiers, then toughness improves, but compatibility with polyamide and processing stability worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovetoughnessVSAvoidcompatibility and processing stability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a polyamide-compatible elastomeric copolymer as an intermediary material that bridges the compatibility gap between polyamide and pure rubber. The ethylene-propylene copolymer, ethylene-1-butene copolymer, or styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer contains functional groups and molecular structure characteristics that provide both elastomeric toughness and compatibility with polyamide, preventing phase separation and processing issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a stable composite material system where the elastomeric copolymer and polyamide are compatible at the molecular level. This compatibility ensures uniform distribution of the impact modifier throughout the polyamide matrix, stable processing during extrusion and injection molding, and consistent mechanical properties in the final product.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP3502187B1Toughened polyamide moulding masses
Publication Date: 2022.10.05 EMS CHEM AG

AI summary

The present invention relates to polyamide molding compounds containing or consisting of the following components (A) to (D): (A) 50 to 98 wt.% of at least one polyamide selected from the group consisting of PA 516, PA 616, PA 1016 and mixtures thereof; (B) 0 to 30 wt.% of at least one polyamide selected from the group consisting of PA 11, PA 12, PA 416, PA 516, PA 69, PA 610, PA 612, PA 614, PA 616, PA 618, PA 816, PA 1010, PA 1012, PA 1014, PA 1016, PA 1018, PA 1212, PA 1216, PA 1218 and mixtures thereof; (C) 2 to 25 wt.% of at least one specific impact modifier and (D) 0 to 20 wt.% of at least one additive; wherein the proportions of components (A) to (D) add up to 100 wt.%.