Polyamides electrical properties

Commonly used materials for cable insulation are poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) compounds, polyamides, polyethylenes, polypropylenes, polyurethanes, and fluoropolymers. PVC compounds possess high dielectric and mechanical strength, flexibiUty, and resistance to flame, water, and abrasion. Polyethylene and polypropylene are used for high speed appHcations that require a low dielectric constant and low loss tangent. At low temperatures, these materials are stiff but bendable without breaking. They are also resistant to moisture, chemical attack, heat, and abrasion. Table 14 gives the mechanical and electrical properties of materials used for cable insulation. 

An all aromatic polyetherimide is made by Du Pont from reaction of pyromelUtic dianhydride and 4,4 -oxydianiline and is sold as Kapton. It possesses excellent thermal stabiUty, mechanical characteristics, and electrical properties, as indicated in Table 3. The high heat-deflection temperature of the resin limits its processibiUty. Kapton is available as general-purpose film and used in appHcations such as washers and gaskets. Often the resin is not used directly rather, the more tractable polyamide acid intermediate is appHed in solution to a surface and then is thermally imidi2ed as the solvent evaporates. 

The bisphenol A-derived epoxy resins are most frequendy cured with anhydrides, aUphatic amines, or polyamides, depending on desired end properties. Some of the outstanding properties are superior electrical properties, chemical resistance, heat resistance, and adhesion. Conventional epoxy resins range from low viscosity Hquids to soHd resins. 

Where plastics are to be used for electrical applications, then electrical properties as well as mechanical and other properties need to be considered. Whilst properties such as resistivity, power factor and dielectric constant are important, they may not be all-important. For example, although polyamides and many thermosetting plastics may show only moderate values for the above properties, they have frequently been used successfully in low-frequency applications. Perhaps more important for many purposes are the tracking and arcing resistance, which are frequently poor with aromatic polymers. 

Nylon (Polyamide) PA is a crystalline plastic and the first and largest consumption of the engineering thermoplastic. This family of TPs are tough, slippery, with good electrical properties, but hygroscopic and with dimensional stability lower than most other engineering types. Also offered in reinforced and filled grades as a moderately priced metal replacement. 

Siloxane containing interpenetrating networks (IPN) have also been synthesized and some properties were reported 59,354 356>. However, they have not received much attention. Preparation and characterization of IPNs based on PDMS-polystyrene 354), PDMS-poly(methyl methacrylate) 354), polysiloxane-epoxy systems 355) and PDMS-polyurethane 356) were described. These materials all displayed two-phase morphologies, but only minor improvements were obtained over the physical and mechanical properties of the parent materials. This may be due to the difficulties encountered in controlling the structure and morphology of these IPN systems. Siloxane modified polyamide, polyester, polyolefin and various polyurethane based IPN materials are commercially available 59). Incorporation of siloxanes into these systems was reported to increase the hydrolytic stability, surface release, electrical properties of the base polymers and also to reduce the surface wear and friction due to the lubricating action of PDMS chains 59). 

Polyamide fibers, 19 739-772. See also Synthetic polyamides applications for, 19 765-766 chemical properties of, 19 745-747 cross-section shape of, 19 756 dyeability of, 19 758-760 early reactive dyes for, 9 468-470 electrical properties of, 19 745 manufacture of, 19 748-749 modified nylon-6 and nylon-6,6, 19 760-764... 

For the same grade with the same thickness, the three indices can be identical (for example, a polyethylene grade with a 50° C UL index temperature) or different (for example, a polyamide grade with a temperature index varying from 75°C for the electrical and mechanical properties, impact included, up to 105°C for the electrical properties only). 

Polyamide-imides are appreciated for good mechanical and electrical properties high service temperatures (up to 220°C with possible long service times at 260°C) rigidity good creep behaviour fatigue endurance low shrinkage and moisture uptake inherent flame retardancy chemical resistance usability down to -196°C. 

Nylons 6/6 and 6 comprise more than 90% of the polyamide market. The two have similar properties but nylon 6 has a lower Tm (223°C). Small amounts of nylons 6/9, 6/10, 6/12, 11, 12, 12/12, and 4/6 are produced as specialty materials. Those with more methylene groups than nylons 6/6 and 6 have better moisture resistance, dimensional stability, and electrical properties, but the degree of crystallinity, Tm, and mechanical properties are lower. Specialty nylons made from dimerized fatty acids find applications as hot-melt adhesives, crosslinking agents for epoxy resins, and thermographic inks. 

Polyimide (PI) caps all other polymers in its temperature range of use (-200 to 260 °C in air short-time even up to 500 °C). Because of its high price, it is used in special cases only, such as space vehicles, nuclear reactors and some electronic parts. Newer developments, related to polyimide, are the polyether imides (e.g. Ultem ), polyester imides and polyamide imides (e.g. Torlon ), all with very good mechanical, thermal and electrical properties and self-extinguishing. 

Electrical Properties. In its electrical insulating properties Trogamid T is similar to other polyamides. Its dielectric properties are not particularly striking. The electrical properties undergo slight change in relation to humidity, and prolonged water immersion has no appreciable... 

These polyamide imide films have excellent thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties, and they are used to upgrade other enamel films. Other attractive features of polyamide imide film insulations are a low coefficient of friction and good solvent resistance. These enamels are rated for use at 200 °C. 

In Table IX are illustrated some of the properties of cured castings. Some of the electrical properties are listed in Table X. While heat distortion values are not high, they are often adequate and are usually compensated for by other excellent mechanical properties. Furthermore, in glass and olefinic fiber laminates, the wetting properties attributed to polyamides are outstanding, thus minimizing voids and promoting mechanical properties. 

The majority of base materials for circuit boards are combinations of a copper foil with a laminate, where the laminate itself consists of a carrier material and a resin. Thus properties of the base material such as mechanical strength, dimensional stability, and processi-bility are determined primarily by the carrier material. On the other hand, the resin materials are responsible for the thermomechanical and electrical properties as well as for its resistance against chemicals and moisture. Frequently used carrier materials are based on glass and carbon fibers, papers, and polyamide, whereas the majority of the laminating resins are thermosets such as epoxies, phenolics, cyanates, bismaleimide triazine (BT) resins, maleimides, and various combinations of these [13]. 

Polyimide and polyamide-imide Excellent thermal properties Good composite properties Good electrical properties Good fire properties Restricted choice of color Arc resistance Acid and alkali resistance... 

Humidity affects the strength and rigidity while also reducing electrical properties, but it serves as a plasticizer and enhances toughness. The novel types like 6-10, 11 and 12 are definitely more expensive, but they are unique due to lower sensitivity to water as well as improved chemical resistance. The water repellency increases with the length of the methylene groups. There are also several copolymers, some within the family, like 6-6/6 or 6-6/6-10. Other Nylons of limited utility are termed 4, 7, 8 or 9. Novel developments are mainly in the aromatic polyamides like Kevlar... 

Poly(m-phenylene isophthalamide) (PMIA) is one of the most important aromahc polyamides. Ithas been widely used because of its high thermal resishvity and its superior mechanical and electrical properties [90]. 

Kaolin or china clay, like many minerals, is used much more widely outside the plastics industry than within it, especially in the paper industry but also to a lesser extent in paint, rubber and pharmaceuticals. It is currently used to improve the electrical properties of PVC wire and cable insulation. Other applications are in automotive parts and as an antiblocking agent in plastic films. It can benefit thixotropy, and calcined kaolin can improve dimensional stability. (Calcined kaolin is also competing with silica in the antiblocking agent market.) Polarite 102A from Imerys is an example of a premium kaolin product, targeted at polyamide automotive applications. 

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