Brands/Products

Polyimides crosslinking

Nexam supplies thermal/heat activated crosslinking chemicals (containing alkynyl/ethynyl groups) to the polyimides industry under the NEXIMID brand and can deliver from kg to multi-ton volumes.

Nexam’s strategy to build the world-wide usage of NEXIMID products into polyimides, is to supply the market with a most competitive value proposition (not previously seen in the industry), as well as developing a range of entirely new products to meet customer needs.

Nexam supplies a full range of end-cappers/crosslinkers for usage in polyimides, with curing temperatures from 70-440 degrees C:

NEXIMID 100 (PEPA): 4-PEPA, 4-(Phenylethynyl)phthalic anhydride, CAS 119389-05-8.
NEXIMID 200 (EPA): 4-EPA, 4-(Ethynyl)phthalic anhydride, CAS 73819-76-8.
NEXIMID 300 (PETA): PETA, Phenylethynyl trimellitic anhydride, CAS not dermined yet.
NEXIMID 400 (EBPA): Ethynylbisphthalic anhydride, CAS 129808-00-0.
NEXIMID 500 (MEPA): 4-Methylethynyl)phthalic anhydride, CAS 1240685-26-0.

NEXIMID products are of very high quality (>99.0% purity).

NEXIMID products create extremely strong crosslinks.

Polyimide end-material properties that can be improved:
- Reduced water uptake and improved chemical resistance
- Lower Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE) values
- Improved heat resistance
- Increased Tg
- Improved dimensional stability
- Improved wear and toughness properties
- Improved electrical properties

Polyimide processing impact when using NEXIMID products:
- Unaffected or improved processability
- Heat activated crosslinking: stable/easy to control processing
- No by-products

NEXIMID products can be used in polyimides for:
- Structural parts
- Films
- Adhesives
- Coatings and varnishes
- Friction materials
- Industrial equipment/applications

This means that Nexam’s products will, for example, enable polyimides to further replace metal in high-temperature applications, improve the heat resistance and dimensional stability of films for the electronics industry etc.

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.

Many different polymers can be improved by using Nexam’s crosslinking technology and products and Nexam currently works with crosslinking polymers such as polyamides (PA66, PA11, PA12, PPA), polyesters (PET, PBT), polyolefins (PP, PE), 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 polyimides, 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