Solvay's Kalix® polyamide for pneumatic valve system

Germany’s Aventics, a manufacturer of pneumatic components and systems which was created out of the former pneumatics business unit at Bosch Rexroth, uses Kalix®9000 high-performance polyamide (HPPA)resin from Solvay Specialty Polymers for production of one key component of its new AV pneumatic valve systems. The semi-aromatic HPPA delivers a strong combination of high mechanical performance, superior flow, and exceptional surface finish as a replacement for metal and competitive engineering polymers for valve systems for the food, beverage, automotive, electronic, and industrial machine market. The announcement was made at the FAKUMAinternational trade fair for plastics processing Oct. 14-18 in Friedrichshafen, Germany.

Kalix®9000 resin facilitates the miniaturization of a highly modular construction with a reduction of part volume up to 45%, and a compact design with optimally positioned push-in fittings. The high-performance polymer permits parts consolidation and significant weight reduction, making the AV pneumatic valve system up to 50% lighter than conventional systems on the market. This thermoplastic part for the AV system weighs less than 20 grams and is about 100 mm (3.94 in) long. The absence of flash allows the part to be more intricate while increasing its production consistency.

Despite its lighter, thinner, and more-compact design, the part made of Kalix®9000 resin withstands pressure up to 10 bar at temperatures ranging from -10°C (14°F) to 60°C (140°F). Those demanding requirements led to Solvay’s development of a 60% glass-filled Kalix®9000 grade which exhibits high flow and is colored in RAL 7035. It is also laser markable and UL94 certified.

Aventics worked closely with Solvay Specialty Polymers throughout the product development cycle. The two companies collaborated on material selection, rheological simulation, and mechanical simulation (Quasi static, Digimat). The cooperation also included extensive work on mold design, injection molding, and mechanical validation on the test bench (short- and long-term).

The use of Kalix®9000 in this application reinforces Solvay’s leadership position in the high-end pneumatic valve market which is already served by the company’s Ixef®polyarylamide (PARA) compounds.

Aventics
www.aventics.com