Already used in epoxy-based aerospace composites and gaining ground in automotive, micro-powder additive will be exhibited at CAMX 2018
Phoenix, Ariz., U.S. — A polyethersulfone (PES) micro-powder additive called SumikaExcel™ 5003P, has proven ideal for boosting fracture toughness and resistance to micro-cracking for fiber-reinforced epoxy composites over a broad temperature range without negatively impacting dimensional stability, flame/smoke/toxicity (FST), creep resistance, modulus, impact, or yield strength. The functional additive is widely used by the aerospace industry for prepreg and resin-transfer molded carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy, is gaining ground in epoxy composites for automotive, and could be used for high-performance sporting goods as well. The material is produced by Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd. (Tokyo) and is sold in North America by Sumitomo Chemical Advanced Technologies, LLC (here), which will exhibit for the first time at the Composites & Advanced Materials Expo (CAMX) from October 16-18 in Dallas.
Generally speaking, PES is an amber-transparent, amorphous engineering thermoplastic known for its high temperature capabilities, high strength and impact resistance, excellent creep resistance at elevated temperatures and loads, very-good dimensional stability, low coefficient of linear thermal expansion (CLTE) over a broad temperature range, inherent flame retardance, low smoke, minimal outgassing, good and broad chemical resistance, and resistance to hot water (to 180°C). It is offered pelletized for injection molding, extrusion, and film processes and in powder form for cast films, filtration membranes, and as an epoxy additive for composites, high-temperature paints and coatings, and adhesives. PES grades are used in the aerospace, automotive, electrical/electronics, medical-device, and food-handling industries.