Thermoplastics and thermosets crosslinking

Nexam develops thermal/heat activated crosslinking chemicals (containing alkynyl/ethynyl groups) to a range of different thermoplastic and thermoset polymers, where curing temperatures can be optimally designed depending on polymer, processing and customer needs, so that the curing occurs at the right time and place.

Nexam’s technology and products improve many different polymers, such as polyamides (PA66, PA11, PA12, PPA etc), polyesters (PET, PBT etc), polyolefins (PP, PE etc), PEEK, epoxies and phenolics.

Polymers are improved in several ways:
- Reduced water uptake
- Improved chemical resistance
- Improved mechanical, thermal and electrical properties

Nexam is working with a large number of global polymer producers under confidentiality agreements with developing products for a range of different polymers. Scale-ups and new commercial product introductions are under way in 2011-2012.

Nexam’s technology and products will enable e.g.:

1. Crosslinkable thermoplastics, where crosslinking occurs at the end-product forming stage, creating an end-product made up of a crosslinked material, but where the advantages of a regular thermoplastic is retained during processing.
2. Crosslinking of polymers that previously have been difficult to crosslink.
3. Substantial benefit relative to cost for polymer producers, polymer processors, OEMs as well as end-customers.
   1. The additional cost is estimated to be limited as only a relatively minor amount of crosslinking chemical is needed.
   2. This will open up new application areas for these polymers as well as extending the usage of a preferred polymer when application demands increase, and hence postponing redesigns or changes to more expensive materials.

Nexam and the polymer producers that Nexam works with expect that this will lead to increased replacement of metals (hence weight reduction) and replacement of more expensive polymers currently used in, e.g. aerospace, automotive, electrical/energy, consumer- and microelectronics, industrial, construction, med-tech and clean-tech industries, or alternatively increase the performance of current polymers to expand their application areas.

If you are a thermoplastics or thermosets producer or user of materials, please contact us with your specific requests.

For specifications and purchasing please contact us at: sales(a)nexam.se
For technical and product development enquiries please contact us at: info(a)nexam.se