"In the area of polyamides, we have reached daily prices and are only partially able to deliver! We have a responsibility to offer our customers an adequate alternative. We have met with success with POM," says Marcel Varges, Sales Manager of the Novoplast Schlauchtechnik GmbH.
The supply situation for hoses made of polyamide (PA), in particular PA12, has been strained since early this year and is currently deteriorating acutely. The current situation on the commodity market is very critical and is not expected to improve in 2012. The background is the worldwide shortage of all preliminary and finished products, so that currently PA12 is only available in a limited degree. In addition, prices for polyamides in recent weeks have increased explosively.
Through intensive testing and further development, Novoplast Schlauchtechnik GmbH has succeeded in offering the alternative of POM as a viable solution. Please read the interview with the Technical Director of Novoplast Schlauchtechnik GmbH, Dipl. Ing. (University of Applied Sciences) Fred Liebzeit:
Mr. Liebzeit, you have already had 30 years extrusion experience. POM material is not new. Why is the plastic POM so important just now?
Fred Liebzeit:
For the first time the newly modified POM with its mechanical properties reaches values that enable applications such as extruding pipes and hoses, which until now have been made of PA 11 or PA 12. The bursting pressures achieved and the cold-impact strength set new standards. Since the modified POM is plasticiser-free, there are no problems due to plasticiser migration. We therefore have a real alternative to some of the known standard plastics such as PA 11 and PA 12
What exactly has been modified on POM?
Fred Liebzeit:
The newly modified POM is a copolymer, which contains certain soft segments that are chemically bound. The proportion of these soft segments determine the elastic properties of the material.
Which properties have been improved through the modification?
Fred Liebzeit:
Through the modification, the elastic properties of the plastic POM have been greatly improved. So we have a material which combines the good properties of POM, such as dimensional stability, excellent tribological properties, etc., with those of an elastomeric plastic.
You use POM as an alternative to PA11/12. How does the processing look?
Fred Liebzeit:
The technology of the processing of the newly modified POM is comparable to that of PA 11/12. Through the modification, the melting behavior, for example, was improved and also allows for the use of standard components in peripheral units on the extrusion line.
Why did you decide on this material as an alternative; in which points does POM perform better?
Fred Liebzeit:
The water absorption of POM compared to PA is very low. All the problems which arise from the absorption of water do not apply. Here the excellent dimensional stability of the material is particularly noteworthy. The sliding / friction properties are extremely favourable and the chemical resistance, e.g. to fuels, is also very good. Due to the slightly higher density of the material, the permeation is lower than in PA. We see enormous potential for its use in technical tubes and hoses
Due to the excellent physical properties of POM, it offers a wide range of applications.
"In the automotive industry, we are already successful with protective tubes for handbrake cables and flexible shafts in the area of seat adjustment and sunroofs. Because of the excellent pressure qualities of our POM hoses, we have also gained access to the pneumatics market.
For the future, we see POM as the alternative with regard to its properties and availability." According to Marcel Varges, Sales Manager for Novoplast Schlauchtechnik GmbH.
On Fred Liebzeit:
Dipl. Ing. (University of Applied Sciences), Fred Liebzeit, is the Technical Director of Novoplast Schlauchtechnik GmbH in Halberstadt. He has more than 30 years of professional experience in the area of plastics technology and plastic extrusion as well as product development.
Trade fairs 2011
Novoplast Schlauchtechnik GmbH has presented and presents "The entire range"of its proven products at the following trade fair 2011:
- ComPaMed Düsseldorf 16th - 18th Nov. 2011
The supply situation for hoses made of polyamide (PA), in particular PA12, has been strained since early this year and is currently deteriorating acutely. The current situation on the commodity market is very critical and is not expected to improve in 2012. The background is the worldwide shortage of all preliminary and finished products, so that currently PA12 is only available in a limited degree. In addition, prices for polyamides in recent weeks have increased explosively.
Through intensive testing and further development, Novoplast Schlauchtechnik GmbH has succeeded in offering the alternative of POM as a viable solution. Please read the interview with the Technical Director of Novoplast Schlauchtechnik GmbH, Dipl. Ing. (University of Applied Sciences) Fred Liebzeit:
Mr. Liebzeit, you have already had 30 years extrusion experience. POM material is not new. Why is the plastic POM so important just now?
Fred Liebzeit:
For the first time the newly modified POM with its mechanical properties reaches values that enable applications such as extruding pipes and hoses, which until now have been made of PA 11 or PA 12. The bursting pressures achieved and the cold-impact strength set new standards. Since the modified POM is plasticiser-free, there are no problems due to plasticiser migration. We therefore have a real alternative to some of the known standard plastics such as PA 11 and PA 12
What exactly has been modified on POM?
Fred Liebzeit:
The newly modified POM is a copolymer, which contains certain soft segments that are chemically bound. The proportion of these soft segments determine the elastic properties of the material.
Which properties have been improved through the modification?
Fred Liebzeit:
Through the modification, the elastic properties of the plastic POM have been greatly improved. So we have a material which combines the good properties of POM, such as dimensional stability, excellent tribological properties, etc., with those of an elastomeric plastic.
You use POM as an alternative to PA11/12. How does the processing look?
Fred Liebzeit:
The technology of the processing of the newly modified POM is comparable to that of PA 11/12. Through the modification, the melting behavior, for example, was improved and also allows for the use of standard components in peripheral units on the extrusion line.
Why did you decide on this material as an alternative; in which points does POM perform better?
Fred Liebzeit:
The water absorption of POM compared to PA is very low. All the problems which arise from the absorption of water do not apply. Here the excellent dimensional stability of the material is particularly noteworthy. The sliding / friction properties are extremely favourable and the chemical resistance, e.g. to fuels, is also very good. Due to the slightly higher density of the material, the permeation is lower than in PA. We see enormous potential for its use in technical tubes and hoses
Due to the excellent physical properties of POM, it offers a wide range of applications.
"In the automotive industry, we are already successful with protective tubes for handbrake cables and flexible shafts in the area of seat adjustment and sunroofs. Because of the excellent pressure qualities of our POM hoses, we have also gained access to the pneumatics market.
For the future, we see POM as the alternative with regard to its properties and availability." According to Marcel Varges, Sales Manager for Novoplast Schlauchtechnik GmbH.
On Fred Liebzeit:
Dipl. Ing. (University of Applied Sciences), Fred Liebzeit, is the Technical Director of Novoplast Schlauchtechnik GmbH in Halberstadt. He has more than 30 years of professional experience in the area of plastics technology and plastic extrusion as well as product development.
Trade fairs 2011
Novoplast Schlauchtechnik GmbH has presented and presents "The entire range"of its proven products at the following trade fair 2011:
- ComPaMed Düsseldorf 16th - 18th Nov. 2011
