Heat resistance applications

The markets for polyetherimides arise to an extent from stricter regulations concerning flammability and smoke evolution coupled with such features as high strength, toughness and heat resistance. Application areas include car under-the-bonnet uses, microwave equipment, printed circuit boards and aerospace (including carbon-fibre-reinforced laminated materials). The polymer is also of interest in flim, fibre and wire insulation form. 

Because of their favourable price, polyesters are preferred to epoxide and furane resins for general purpose laminates and account for at least 95% of the low-pressure laminates produced. The epoxide resins find specialised uses for chemical, electrical and heat-resistant applications and for optimum mechanical properties. The furane resins have a limited use in chemical plant. The use of high-pressure laminates from phenolic, aminoplastic and silicone resins is discussed elsewhere in this book. 

Oligomer 163 represents a stabilizer having PA chain with pendant phenolic moiety [31], Pendant hindered piperidine or piperazine moieties were attached to oligomeric stabilizers having polysulfonamide, polyurea (e.g. 164), or PA (e.g. 165) unis [213]. Polyhydrazide 166 was tested as HD AO and copper deactivator in PP [214]. Poly (nitrophenylene-carbazide disulfide) 167 was prepared for thermal stabilization of PVC. Phosphorus containing crosslinkable polymers having polyamide, polyimide and polyurea chains were prepared for flame and heat resistant applications [215]. 

Use Corrosion- and heat-resistant applications, source zirconium. 

PPS/PTFE (polyphenylene sulfide/polytetra-fluoroethylene) high durability and wear resistance, tensile strength, hydraulic stability, heat resistance. Applications include seals valves and bushings. 

PPS (40% glass fibres) High heat resistant applications... 

Similar to types 430 and 434. Used where low roping or ridging required. General corrosion and heat-resistant applications such as automobile trim. 

The Ni-Cr-Fe alloys are also extensively used in refining and petrochemical plant equipment for both liquid and gaseous low-temperature corrosion resistance and for heat-resistant applications. Table 8.24 describes the practical behavior of the main high-performance alloys and highly alloyed stainless steels in some of the very demanding operational situations in which these alloys are expected to perform satisfactorily. The chemical composition of these alloys can be foimd in App. E. 

It is used in certain nickel-based alloys, such as the "Hastelloys(R)" which are heat-resistant and corrosion-resistant to chemical solutions. Molybdenum oxidizes at elevated temperatures. The metal has found recent application as electrodes for electrically heated glass furnaces and foreheaths. The metal is also used in nuclear energy applications and for missile and aircraft parts. Molybdenum is valuable as a catalyst in the refining of petroleum. It has found applications as a filament material in electronic and electrical applications. Molybdenum is an... 

Nitrile mbber finds broad application in industry because of its excellent resistance to oil and chemicals, its good flexibility at low temperatures, high abrasion and heat resistance (up to 120°C), and good mechanical properties. Nitrile mbber consists of butadiene—acrylonitrile copolymers with an acrylonitrile content ranging from 15 to 45% (see Elastomers, SYNTHETIC, NITRILE RUBBER). In addition to the traditional applications of nitrile mbber for hoses, gaskets, seals, and oil well equipment, new applications have emerged with the development of nitrile mbber blends with poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). These blends combine the chemical resistance and low temperature flexibility characteristics of nitrile mbber with the stability and ozone resistance of PVC. This has greatly expanded the use of nitrile mbber in outdoor applications for hoses, belts, and cable jackets, where ozone resistance is necessary. 

Actually, in many cases strength and mechanical properties become of secondaiy importance in process applications, compared with resistance to the corrosive surroundings. All common heat-resistant alloys form oxides when exposed to hot oxidizing environments. Whether the alloy is resistant depends upon whether the oxide is stable and forms a protective film. Thus, mild steel is seldom used above 480°C (900°F) because of excessive scaling rates. Higher temperatures require chromium (see Fig. 28-25). Thus, type 502 steel, with 4 to 6 percent Cr, is acceptable to 620°C (I,I50°F). A 9 to 12 percent Cr steel will handle 730°C (I,350°F) 14 to 18 percent Cr extends the limit to 800°C (I,500°F) and 27 percent Cr to I,I00°C (2,000°F). 

The excellent electrical insulation properties of polyethylene have led to extensive use in cable and other wire-covering applications. Spectacular early uses included undersea cables and airborne radar and the materials continue to be used in substantial quantities. One particular trend is the increasing use of cross-linked polyethylene for this area of use. Such materials have improved heat resistance and in addition have given generally better resistance to stress cracking. Cellular polyethylene is used as the insulator for television downlead aerials. 

The rubbers may be vulcanised by conventional accelerated sulphur systems and also by peroxides. The vulcanisates are widely used in petrol hose and seal applications. Two limiting factors of the materials as rubbers are the tendency to harden in the presence of sulphur-bearing oils, particularly at elevated temperatures (presumably due to a form of vulcanisation), and the rather limited heat resistance. The latter may be improved somewhat by Judicious compounding to give vulcanisates that may be used up to 150°C. When for the above reasons nitrile rubbers are unsatisfactory it may be necessary to consider acrylic rubbers (Chapter 15), epichlorohydrin rubbers (Chapter 19) and in more extreme conditions fluororubbers (Chapter 13). 

The high thermal stability of the carbon-fluorine bond has led to considerable interest in fluorine-containing polymers as heat-resistant plastics and rubbers. The first patents, taken out by IG Farben in 1934, related to polychlorotri-fluoroethylene (PCTFE) (Figure 13.1 (a)), these materials being subsequently manufactured in Germany and the United States. PCTFE has been of limited application and it was the discovery of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) (Figure... 

The use of ABS has in recent years met considerable competition on two fronts, particularly in automotive applications. For lower cost applications, where demands of finish and heat resistance are not too severe, blends of polypropylene and ethylene-propylene rubbers have found application (see Chapters 11 and 31). On the other hand, where enhanced heat resistance and surface hardness are required in conjunction with excellent impact properties, polycarbonate-ABS alloys (see Section 20.8) have found many applications. These materials have also replaced ABS in a number of electrical fittings and housings for business and domestic applications. Where improved heat distortion temperature and good electrical insulation properties (including tracking resistance) are important, then ABS may be replaced by poly(butylene terephthalate). 

The nylons have found steadily increasing application as plastics materials for speciality purposes where their toughness, rigidity, abrasion resistance, good hydrocarbon resistance and reasonable heat resistance are important. Because of their high cost they have not become general purpose materials such as polyethylene and polystyrene, which are about a third of the price of the nylons. 

The first commercial applications of polypyromellitimides were as wire enamels, as insulating varnishes and for coating glass-cloth (Pyre.ML, Du Pont). In film form (Kapton) many of the outstanding properties of the polymer may be more fully utilised. These include excellent electrical properties, solvent resistance, flame resistance, outstanding abrasion resistance and exceptional heat resistance. After 1000 hours exposure to air at 300°C the polymer retained 90% of its tensile strength. 

PPO forms one of a group of rigid, heat-resistant, more-or-less selfextinguishing polymers with a good electrical and chemical resistance, low water absorption and very good dimensional stability. This has led to a number of applications in television such as tuner strips, microwave insulation components and transformer housings. The excellent hydrolytic stability has also led to applications in water distribution and water treatment applications such as in pumps, water meters, sprinkler systems and hot water tanks. It is also used in valves of drink vending machines. 

Excellent toughness and wear resistance. For example, the resistance to cut through of wire coverings is far superior to that of most other heat-resisting plastics. It is interesting to note that in 1994, 50% of applications of PEEK were related to the excellent wear behaviour. 

Polymers with no pretence of high heat resistance but which complement the existing range of thermoplastics used mainly in light engineering application, e.g. phenoxies and aromatic polyesters. 

Compared with more common plastics used as packaging materials, the compound does have some disadvantages, such as a high water vapour permeability and limited heat resistance, losing dimensional stability at about 70°C. It is also substantially more expensive than the high-tonnage polyolefins. Last but not least its biodegradability means that it must be used in applications that will have completed their function within a few months of the manufacture of the polymer compound. 

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