With SUSTAMID 6 FR, large-size machined components and short runs are now possible
Lahnstein – With SUSTAMID 6 FR, Röchling Sustaplast KG, Lahnstein is now offering – as the very first manufacturer – semi-finished extruded products made of flame-retardant polyamide 6 (PA 6). This newly developed material, which meets the relevant requirements of the new European Rail Vehicle Standard DIN EN 45545-2:2013, facilitates production of large-sized machined components and component parts in small piece numbers.
Machined parts made of flame-retardant polyamide 6 could hitherto only be manufactured in injection moulding due to technical limitations. This meant that large dimensions and small piece numbers could not be economically realised due to the high tool costs.
Large dimensions and small quantities
With the development of SUSTAMID 6 FR, Röchling has found a way to extrude flame-retardant polyamide 6 and – as the very first manufacturer – offers round rods with diameters from 10 to 100 mm and 3,000 mm length. Flat bars are also available with the dimensions 620 mm x 3,000 mm, 8 to 60 mm strength. Dimensions even exceeding that can also be produced on demand.
Very high oxygen index – 40 percent
With 40 percent, SUSTAMID 6 FR stands out through a very high oxygen index (LOI – Limiting Oxygen Index), and is phosphorus and halogen-free. Fire behaviour is classified in accordance with UL 94 with V0. Compared to conventional materials, such as steel (7.85 g/cm³), the low density of SUSTAMID 6 FR (1.17 g/cm³) offers unequivocal benefits regarding weight and thus construction. At the same time, the material possesses a high degree of stiffness, tensile strength as well as good sliding and wear properties with simultaneously outstanding corrosion and chemical resistance.
Numerous fields of application
With SUSTAMID 6 FR, Röchling targets in particular applications in fields, for which there are very high requirements made on the fire behaviour of the material implemented there. These involve applications especially in passenger transportation, such as rail-vehicle construction, the aerospace industry, or shipbuilding. Here, SUSTAMID 6 FR proves its unequivocal weight advantage. Yet SUSTAMID 6 FR´s profile of characteristics also offers new potential and possibilities for application in mining, the electrical industry or in public buildings.
New European rail-vehicle standard fulfilled
SUSTAMID 6 FR fulfils the relevant requirements of the European Rail Vehicle Standard DIN EN 45545-2:2013 that came into force in August 2013. This new standard makes tighter demands on fire protection, and supersedes the hitherto national rail vehicle standards, such as, by way of example, DIN 5510 in Germany.
