SABIC Launches Antistatic LNP™ Compounds to Support Tighter ATEX Regulatory Requirements for Explosive Environments

Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), a globally diversified chemical company, has launched new LNP™ STAT-KON™ and LNP™ STAT-LOY™ compounds
.
These two products can effectively improve the antistatic performance of the application and help it meet the increasingly stringent regulatory requirements of the European Union's "Requirements for Equipment Used in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres" (ATEX Directive)
.
These new materials are expected to replace less efficient metals and coated/filled polymers in electronic packaging, automation equipment, equipment housings, lighting equipment, security devices, and handheld devices such as flashlights
.

"SABIC is committed to developing specialized anti-static materials to help customers meet ATEX compliance requirements," said Joshua Chiaw, business management director of LNP and NORYL, SABIC's Specialty Materials Division
.
"Our latest LNP grades are optimized for electrostatic discharge.
Formulated with unique performance benefits such as excellent colorability and rigorous testing by independent third-party labs,
these compounds not only help speed time-to-market, but also improve application performance, durability, aesthetics and ease of processing, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of products and bringing differentiated advantages
.
”

Both new products are based on SABIC's LNP™ copolymer technology
.
LNP™ STAT-KON™ DD000XI compound is a leading material that provides excellent electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection while maintaining excellent impact resistance for complete protection of sensitive electronics and ease of product processing
.
LNP™ STAT-LOY™ D3000IEU6 Compound is a colorable material that avoids expensive secondary painting operations
.
The company's self-developed polymer blends can achieve excellent electrostatic discharge performance without interfering with electronic signals
.

Integrating ATEX requirements into material design

LNP STAT-KON DD000XI compounds and LNP STAT-LOY D3000IEU6 compounds meet ATEX directive requirements for conductive safety while providing customers with ideal performance and processing properties
.
The surface resistivity of LNP STAT-KON DD000XI modifier can reach 106 - 1010 ohms, and after low temperature and long-term water aging, it still has high impact resistance and high heat resistance (thermal deformation at 0.
45 MPa) The temperature is 140°C (can also be replaced by Vicat softening temperature (VICAT)
.
The wide processing window and high flow of the material support thin wall designs, resulting in reduced product weight and easy demolding (suitable for small demolding angles) parts), which helps increase design flexibility
.

Compared to traditional toner-filled polycarbonate (PC) solutions, LNP STAT-KON DD000XI compound enables higher practical flow and a wider processing window, further increasing productivity and design freedom
.
And its extreme impact resistance also helps meet increasingly demanding assembly and use conditions
.

The surface resistance of LNP STAT-LOY D3000IEU6 modifier is 109 - 1011 ohms, which can support high-speed transmission of electrical signals such as radar, radio and wireless Internet access while meeting the requirements of ATEX regulations
.
A key feature of this material is that it is fully colorable - offering a wide range of colors for customers to choose from, enabling a variety of vivid shades and excellent post-processing color retention
.
By using LNP STAT-LOY materials, customers can utilize colorful color schemes to enhance the appeal of their products for branding, aesthetics or safety indications, while avoiding additional steps such as coating and painting
.
Until now, PC grade materials for ATEX applications were generally black
.

Additional benefits of the LNP STAT-LOY D3000IEU6 compound include high impact strength at low temperatures (ductility down to -30°C) and very high impact retention after water aging
.

Luc Govaerts, Director of Formulations and Applications, Specialty Materials at SABIC, said: “Each update to the ATEX directive imposes stricter requirements and covers a wider range of impacts – from industrial, electrical and mechanical equipment to electronics and healthcare, etc.
Applications
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Our new antistatic materials are designed with unique LNP copolymer technology to help customers more easily and reliably meet the ATEX compliance needs of end applications.

SABIC is committed to continuously developing new technologies to help produce new, Differentiated products to stay ahead of regulatory changes and market demands
.
By continuously expanding our product portfolio and enabling new applications, we can provide customers with solutions for future ATEX regulatory requirements
.
”