Apolhya™, a new range of flexible nanostructured thermoplastic polymers with outstanding properties

09/04/2009    Press Release

Arkema’s latest innovation is a new nanostructured thermoplastics family combining flexibility, thermomechanical stability, chemical resistance, and adhesiveness.

Apolhya™ is a new polymer family which combines the properties of polyamides with those of polyolefins by producing co-continuous morphologies on a nanometric scale.

Enhanced combination of thermal stability and flexibility
The Apolhya™ range is characterized by enhanced thermal stability compared to polyolefins, greater flexibility than conventional polyamides, and good impact resistance.
Apolhya™ also combines good chemical resistance and resistance to thermo-oxidization. It is therefore particularly suitable for all applications requiring flexibility and prolonged use above 150°C. Finally, unlike conventional polymer alloys, the nanostructuring of Apolhya™ imparts excellent transparency.

Easy processing and wide-ranging applications
Apolhya™ grades feature a wide melting temperature and melt viscosity range, and are suitable for all conventional processing technologies, in particular extrusion and injection molding.
Apolhya™ may be used as a material or as an additive in many potential applications.
A number of grades which are stable in contact with automotive fluids are used in under hood applications as a protective layer, replacing rubber or other flexible thermoplastics which are less temperature stable.
Halogen-free fire-retarded Apolhya™ grades allow easier processing than crosslinked polymers. They are used in cable manufacture and other applications in which fire resistance is key.
As an additive, Apolhya™ can be used as a compatibilizer or an adhesion promoter during the recycling of polyolefins and polyamides. It can also boost the thermomechanical properties of polyolefin-based thermoplastic elastomers, or improve the impact properties of polyamide 6 and 6,6 formulations.
Furthermore, the Apolhya™ manufacturing process allows properties to be tailored to specific requirements for particular applications, and additives to be included such as stabilizers, pigments and fillers.

The technology and main applications of Apolhya™ are protected by many patents.

A global chemical company and France’s leading chemicals producer, Arkema consists of three businesses: Vinyl Products, Industrial Chemicals, and Performance Products. Arkema reports sales of 5.6 billion euros. Arkema has 15,000 employees in over 40 countries and six research centers located in France, the United States and Japan. With internationally recognized brands, Arkema holds leadership positions in its principal markets.