Asahi Kasei launches Leona SN series halogen-free flame retardant PA66

According to foreign media reports, Asahi Kasei of Japan has launched Leona SN series of halogen-free and red phosphorus-free flame retardant polyamide 66 for the European market
.
This semi-aromatic material has a high level of safety, surface quality and laser printability
.

As the European Union tightens safety and environmental regulations, requirements for materials used in electrical products and systems are growing
.
Halogen-free and red phosphorus-free solutions ensure safety for a range of applications while taking a more sustainable approach than traditional materials
.
The Leona SN series is UL V-0 flame retardant certified at 0.
75 mm wall thickness and achieves the highest relative tracking index (CTI) at 600V
.

In addition to flame retardancy and creep resistance, this material exhibits excellent surface quality without additional treatments and coatings, with glass fiber content of up to 50%
.
Another characteristic of this material is its high retention of physical properties under certain conditions
.
While the performance of similar halogen-free PA66 materials is significantly degraded, Leona SN maintains high levels of tensile strength and flexural modulus after moisture absorption
.
This opens up new possibilities for related applications in environments where the use of standard FR PA66 can cause problems
.

In addition, Leona SN exhibits excellent laser printability, with clearer surface prints compared to common red phosphorus-containing materials during high-speed processing of 1000 mm/sec, helping to increase productivity
.
Applications for Leona SN include automotive powertrain products, as well as electrical and electronic components that require flame retardancy, such as connectors, electromagnetic switches or relay blocks
.
The material also meets the requirements of the European railway fire safety standard EN 45545 for the highest HL3 hazard class for R22 interior parts and R23 exterior parts
.

Taku Ishida, general manager of the company's European engineering plastics division, said: "Leona SN meets the most stringent requirements in terms of safety, surface quality and laser printing, while fully complying with environmental regulations
.
Benefiting from high levels of key properties, these materials will become solutions to customers’ problems and open up new possibilities in a wide range of applications
.
”

The Leona SN series is part of Asahi Kasei's new range of Leona polyamide resins
.
The range also includes UV resistant grades (SU series) and semi-aromatic grades (SG series) for metal replacement and automotive interior applications
.
These materials all have properties that combine surface quality, machinability and mechanical properties
.

Asahi Kasei has a broad portfolio of halogen-free and flame-retardant polymers, including Xyron-modified polyphenylene ether (mPPE) and Leona PA 66
.
The company has also developed a particle bead foam based on SunForce mPPE, the first foam to be certified as UL94 V-0 flame retardant
.
These materials are suitable for use in the automotive, electrical engineering and electronics fields
.