Speciality chemicals producer Lanxess (Leverkusen / Germany; www.lanxess.com) has added a new grade of “Durethan” PA 6.6 for the manufacture of pipes produced by gas and water injection (GIT/WIT) for use in vehicle engine compartments. AKV 30 G HR DUS 023 has been developed for the production of hollow parts that have large pipe cross-sections and complex geometries with branches, flattened cross-sections and large angles.

The material includes 30% reinforcement with a special glass fibre by weight and an additive to improve its performance in the WIT/GIT process. The company claims that this produces smoother inner surfaces on components than comparable PA 6.6 systems with standard glass fibre reinforcement and additives. “We have optimised its rheological properties and the melt’s setting behaviour to ensure that no small wrinkles or grooves form on the outer surface of parts. In the worst-case scenario, these can cause leaks,” said Günter Margraf, product developer at Lanxess.