NEW HIGH FLOW STANYL® GRADE FROM DSM HANDLES

DSM Engineering Plastics announces the availability of a new grade of high-flow Stanyl® polyamide 46 (PA46) designed for elements of aircraft jet engines. Stanyl 46HF4130 is a 30-percent glass-fibre-reinforced compound that was initially developed for use in the intake portion of the Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engine, engineered for noise reduction and minimum environmental impact. The engine uses 50 panels with highly complex geometry to minimize noise through a complex section of the engine duct, benefiting from Stanyl’s high strength and moldability.

Moulded Stanyl thermoplastic components replace hand-built, glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) parts. Thin and large - up to 40 cm in length, yet only 0.8 mm thick in places - the components must be able to withstand the impact of bird strikes at temperatures ranging from 50 °C to 150 °C, as well as resist warpage.

"Extensive testing of candidate materials resulted in the selection of Stanyl for infill panels on the Trent 900 engine. Stanyl proved to have the right balance between lightness and strength," says Neil Williams, spokesperson of Rolls-Royce. “Using high-performance thermoplastics like Stanyl has been an optimum solution for both performance and cost in this important application.”

Development of the design, material, and moulding was a joint effort among DSM Engineering Plastics, toolmaker and moulder Stückerjürgen, and the Austrian systems supplier FACC. The Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engine is used on the large Airbus A380 passenger aircraft.

In addition to its use in jet engines, Stanyl 46HF4130 is also well-suited for connectors and other intricate parts featuring thin sections or complex geometries.

Stanyl materials have unique property profiles that provide the best solution for many applications needing outstanding performance. Stanyl grades are based on polyamide 46, a highly crystalline material with a melting temperature of 295 ºC.

Its toughness and high mechanical strength combined with exceptional flow gives the widest design freedom possible in engineering plastics.

Stanyl grades are widely used in automotive and electronic applications because it has proven that it can meet the critical demands of those industries and at the same time deliver value through more reliable performance and lower system costs. Applications for Stanyl grades include charge air coolers and chain tensioners, bearing cages, electrical connectors and components, electric motor end laminates and brush holders, and a variety of housings and shields for home appliances, lawn and garden tools, and building products.