PPE resin provides flame retardancy and impact resistance for electric vehicle batteries

Sabic has launched two new Noryl polyphenylene ether copolymer resins to support the need for lighter, thinner and more crash-resistant electric vehicle battery modules and enclosures
.
Noryl NHP6011 and NHP6012 resins meet a key consumer demand for electric vehicles - improved safety, range and power
.
They have increased flame retardancy and impact strength to meet industry safety standards, and have thin-wall molding capabilities to reduce weight and accommodate more batteries, helping to extend vehicle range and improve performance
.
The glass fiber reinforced Noryl resin utilizes proprietary polyphenylene ether (PPE) copolymer technology and is the latest addition to Sabic's NHP family of materials for transportation applications
.

Darpan Parikh, Head of Global Product Management, Resins and Compounds, Sabic’s Specialty Business, said: “Battery optimization is critical to expanding EV adoption and realizing the full sustainability benefits of EVs
.
Through better safety, higher energy Density and lower weight can help improve electric vehicle batteries, and our new Noryl resins can also help manufacturers make their cars more attractive to consumers
.
"

Several trends are shaping the future of electric vehicle batteries
.
For example, stricter flame retardant requirements are now in effect, mainly due to concerns about the safety of lithium-ion batteries
.
In Europe and Asia, battery module materials must meet UL 94 V-0 standards
.
Noryl NHP6011 and NHP6012 resins offer best-in-class chlorine-free/bromine-free flame retardancy and meet UL 94 V-0 requirements at 1.
5mm
.
In addition, they provide stiffness and impact strength for crash protection
.
The two products differ in fiberglass loading to meet customer specific stiffness requirements
.

Another key trend in EV batteries is miniaturization
.
Battery makers are working to fit more batteries in existing or smaller spaces to increase the power and range of cars
.
The dimensional stability and flow properties of the Noryl series enable thin-wall designs for cell frames, cages and battery pack top covers
.
These properties help increase energy density while minimizing weight and space
.
Additionally, these materials have excellent dielectric properties with a relative tracking index (CTI) of 2 to help avoid electrical shorts between tightly packed cells
.

In addition to these mechanical properties, the new Noryl NHP6011 and NHP6012 resins offer acid resistance compared to polycarbonate, better moisture resistance compared to polyamide, and low specific gravity
.