Solvay Specialty Polymers, a unit of Brussels-based Solvay Group, announced today that it is providing alternative material options to automotive tier suppliers and OEMs faced with diminishing supplies of PA12. 

"We've been working closely with key automotive suppliers to find alternative materials to nylon 12 to ensure the industry can continue to run at current production levels," said Bill Gaines, global automotive business development manager for Solvay Specialty Polymers.

Solvay said it has identified its Amodel polyphthalamide (PPA) and its Ixef polyarylamide (PARA) as candidate materials for fuel line connectors and glycol connectors that were previously molded from nylon 12..  The company has provided suppliers with 3,000 - 5,000-hour data demonstrating the retention of mechanical properties of PPA and PARA in chemically aggressive environments such as fuel, glycol and transmission fluid.  According to Mr. Gaines, several automotive companies have already converted from 23% glass-filled PA12 to its Amodel AT 6130 HS resin.

The company said that over the past five years, its PPA resins have replaced PA12 in fuel line and glycol connectors when high temperature, improved permeation and better chemical resistance were needed.  The AT 6130 HS grade is said to be a drop-in replacement for 23% glass-filled PA12.