CLEVELAND – March 11, 2021 – Avient today launched two new materials based on polyketone (PK) that deliver comparable performance and lower production-related CO2 levels than nylon (PA66 and PA6) and acetal (POM).
Developed in response to current nylon supply constraints, the new Edgetek™ PKE and LubriOne™ PKE series provide performance similar to PA66 and PA6. These specialty PK formulations combine excellent chemical and hydrolysis resistance to meet the challenges of harsh applications, such as those found in chemical, fuel contact, or high-moisture environments. The new materials also offer sustainability benefits over the product lifecycle through carbon footprint reductions compared to competitive materials – PK base resin production emits up to 61 percent less carbon dioxide (CO2) than nylon and POM. Additionally, the new grades are formaldehyde-free, addressing VOC concerns in manufacturing compared to POM.
“These developments provide a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to PA66 and PA6 supply constraints hindering our customers,” said Matt Mitchell, director, global marketing of Specialty Engineered Materials at Avient. “Better still, the two series offer comparable performance to traditional materials and help support sustainability goals across many industries.”
The Edgetek PKE series includes short glass-reinforced formulations with 10-40 percent short glass fiber. These materials provide exceptional chemical resistance, low moisture uptake, excellent dimensional stability, and high impact and wear resistance. The reinforced grades are targeted at applications in the industrial, electronics and transportation markets like pipes and tubing, electrical battery components, and under-the-hood fuel or chemical contact components.
The LubriOne PKE series are internally lubricated grades that combine chemical resistance performance with improved wear resistance and low coefficient of friction properties. The added lubricity helps to meet the low friction needs of applications in industrial, electronics and appliance markets like conveyor belts, gears, switches, pumps, and spigots.
Avient’s new PKE portfolio series are commercially available around the world.
