Like their "siblings", the two new highly reinforced compounds are characterized by improved mechanical and structural properties. "For example, their tensile strength at high temperatures is higher than standard polyamide 6 variants with the same glass fiber content," says Linder. To assess this behavior under a pulsating load, Lanxess has developed a HiAnt fatigue screening test that is based on a conventional Wöhler test. This revealed that under a transverse load of 65 megapascals, the lifespan of Durethan BKV50PH2.0 is around eight times longer than that of a standard polyamide 6 with the same glass fiber content. In a corresponding comparison, Durethan BKV60PH2.0EF demonstrates a fatigue behavior that is around ten times better.
The services with which Lanxess supports project partners during the development of components for use under pulsating loads include a wide range of component tests. "The equipment at our shaker technical center covers all current vibration tests for the fatigue behavior of components in vehicle applications," explains Linder. Its customer service also includes pressure threshold tests on components from the vehicle cooling circuit as well as pressure change and backfire tests.