EcoPaXX is a high-performance aliphatic, biobased polyamide that uniquely balances the benefits of typical short and long chain polyamides, such as low moisture uptake and high mechanical performance. EcoPaXX has wide applicability and is especially popular as a PA66 performance booster since it can be processed in the same tools.
EcoPaXX is Envalior’s most established biobased engineering plastic. It combines Envalior’s propriety C4 technology with the power of nature’s C10 building block derived from castor plants, which do not compete with the food chain. The combination of the short C4 block and the long C10 block gives EcoPaXX high mechanical properties of typical short chain polyamides, but combines these with lower moisture update and higher chemical resistance more typical of long chain polyamides. EcoPaXX can easily be processed in PA66 tools while resulting in better surface quality. This makes it an ideal candidate for when performance, aesthetics and sustainability come together.
EcoPaXX combines excellent thermal and mechanical properties with low moisture uptake and high chemical resistance. This makes it especially suitable for automotive applications that require good mechanical performance after conditioning, water/glycol ageing and road salt exposure.
To meet customer needs for safe drinking water applications using lead-free technologies, EcoPaXX has specialized grades certified for warm and hot water applications.
EcoPaXX food contact approved grades show lower cyclic oligomer extraction levels than PA6 or PA66 and offer safe and sustainable solutions for the food contact industry.
The graphs below show comparative data of thermal properties, moisture uptake and dry vs. conditioned tensile modulus for different unfilled polymers. EcoPaXX's combination of short C4 chain and long C10 chain results in a unique balance of high crystallinity/stiffness combined with low moisture uptake and high chemical resistance. Specifically, EcoPaXX PA410 has 30% lower moisture uptake than PA66 while exhibiting similar glass transition (70°C) and melt temperature (250°C). As a result, EcoPaXX has the highest conditioned modulus (1,7GPa) among aliphatic polyamides.
The graphs below show absolute values as well as the percentage retention of tensile properties of EcoPaXX vs. PA66 for 30%GF grades after 1,000 hours exposure to 50/50 water/glycol mixture at 135°C. EcoPaXX has ca. 20% higher retention of tensile properties compared to PA66 grade. This results in a five-fold increase in weldline performance (tested on tensile bars) as well as a three-fold increase in product lifetime (tested on automotive expansion tank, design dependent). Therefore, it is possible to design parts with lower thickness and hence weight compared to PA66 while maintaining similar or higher performance.
The graph to the right shows data for mechanical environmental stress cracking tests under the influence of a calcium chloride solution to mimic road salt resistance. A 3mm thick notched tensile bar is subjected to a force of 10N/mm at 75°C in saturated CaCl2 solution until failure. The data shows that EcoPaXX is extremely resistant to CaCl2 salt with no mechanical failure even after 2,500 hours being submerged in the solution, especially when compared to ca. 5 hours for PA66.
EcoPaXX can be processed very similarly to PA66. It has a very wide processing window (270-310°C) and high melt stability. Its faster crystallization rate vs. PA66 results up to 20% lower cycle times. Detailed processing guidelines for specific EcoPaXX grades are available on our plasticsfinder.
At the same time, EcoPaXX has excellent surface finish even with 30%GF content, making it suitable for decorative applications, such as engine covers.
EcoPaXX carbon footprint is assessed cradle-to-gate, using Envalior‘s in-house lifecycle assessment experts. The graph below shows the carbon footprint of EcoPaXX compared to other common polyamides. EcoPaXX has the lowest carbon footprint amongst common polyamides, including biobased polyamides. The Carbon footprint can be lowered further if biomass balancing is used for the C4 monomer. This is an option available for certain grades upon customer request. Mass balancing does not change material properties and is externally certified through ISCC.
Our team can assist with calculations for specific EcoPaXX grades, and we also work with our customers on cradle-to-grave assessments for specific end applications.
EcoPaXX has several grades that are engineered to meet V2 and V0 flammability and high glow-wire temperatures. All EcoPaXX grades are halogen-free and hence do not release associated toxic compounds upon burning. Dielectric strength data measured according to IEC 60243-1 standard is shown for different unfilled polymers. Samples were measured before and after conditioning at 95% relative humidity at 40°C for 120 hours. Spherical electrodes of 20mm were used with a voltage increase of 500V/s.
The data shows that EcoPaXX has similar dielectric strength as PA66 in the dry state, but significantly higher dielectric strength after conditioning. This makes EcoPaXX more insulating, resulting in higher safety for electrical applications. It also means insulating parts with EcoPaXX can be designed thinner than with PA66 without sacrificing product safety.
EcoPaXX has specialized food contact and drinking water grades, which are approved by all major institutions (e.g. KTW, W270, NSF61, WRAS, ACS, EU 11/2011, FDA). EcoPaXX is approved for both warm and hot water applications. Data below is shown for the percentage of water uptake of 50%GF filled grades at 50% and 100% relative humidity. Due to its low moisture uptake and high mechanical strength, EcoPaXX shows excellent hydrolysis resistance with no water leakage in lifetime cycle tests up to 1 Million cycles. EcoPaXX drinking water grades have higher Tg of ca. 85°C and show superior long-term hydrolysis resistance in hot water ageing (110°C) compared to low Tg PPA.
"EcoPaXX® Q-HG6 is a long aliphatic polyamide with excellent chemical & hydrolysis resistance for use in thermal management applications as well as other structural parts."
"EcoPaXX® Q-HG6 is a long aliphatic polyamide with excellent chemical & hydrolysis resistance for use in thermal management applications as well as other structural parts."
"EcoPaXX® Q-HG6 is a long aliphatic polyamide with excellent chemical & hydrolysis resistance for use in thermal management applications as well as other structural parts."
"EcoPaXX® Q-DWX10 is a long aliphatic polyamide with excellent mechanical & flow performance for use in food contact & drinking water applications"
"EcoPaXX® Q-DWX10 is a long aliphatic polyamide with excellent mechanical & flow performance for use in food contact & drinking water applications"
"EcoPaXX® Q-DWX10 is a long aliphatic polyamide with excellent mechanical & flow performance for use in food contact & drinking water applications"
"EcoPaXX® Q210E-H is a high viscous long aliphatic polyamide which offers excellent wear & friction properties at high humidity for use in gears, food conveyer belt parts and abrasive monofilaments."
"EcoPaXX® Q210E-H is a high viscous long aliphatic polyamide which offers excellent wear & friction properties at high humidity for use in gears, food conveyer belt parts and abrasive monofilaments."
"EcoPaXX® Q210E-H is a high viscous long aliphatic polyamide which offers excellent wear & friction properties at high humidity for use in gears, food conveyer belt parts and abrasive monofilaments."
"EcoPaXX® Q-KS is a versatile halogen-free flame-retarded long aliphatic polyamide with UL94 V0 & CTI 600V rating with high flow and ductility. It offers excellent retention of electric properties upon humidity uptake."
"EcoPaXX® Q-KS is a versatile halogen-free flame-retarded long aliphatic polyamide with UL94 V0 & CTI 600V rating with high flow and ductility. It offers excellent retention of electric properties upon humidity uptake."
"EcoPaXX® Q-KS is a versatile halogen-free flame-retarded long aliphatic polyamide with UL94 V0 & CTI 600V rating with high flow and ductility. It offers excellent retention of electric properties upon humidity uptake."
"EcoPaXX® Q-KG6-FC has excellent processability and surface quality and is safe for use in a broad variety of food contact applications. For detailed statements and information regarding food contact approvals please contact your Envalior representative."
"EcoPaXX® Q-KG6-FC has excellent processability and surface quality and is safe for use in a broad variety of food contact applications. For detailed statements and information regarding food contact approvals please contact your Envalior representative."
"EcoPaXX® Q-KG6-FC has excellent processability and surface quality and is safe for use in a broad variety of food contact applications. For detailed statements and information regarding food contact approvals please contact your Envalior representative."
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By Miran Salej
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