Solvay Advanced Polymers, LLC, has launched the AvaSpire® AV-700 series, a new line of modified PEEK grades that fill the cost/performance gap between high-performance crystalline polymers (PPS, LCP, and high-temperature nylon) and PEEK, an ultra-performance crystalline polymer. These proprietary PEEK-based formulations – available in unfilled, filled, and wear-resistant grades – offer comparable strength and modulus, equivalent or better chemical resistance, and up to a 30% cost reduction versus comparable PEEK grades. Targeted uses include demanding applications in automotive, heavy-duty off-highway equipment, oil and gas recovery, semiconductors and chemical processing.

“In these highly challenging economic times, OEMs and processors in the automotive sector and other industries now have a cost-effective alternative with near-equal performance for applications that may be over-specified in PEEK,” says Jean-Baptiste Bonnadier, ultra polymers product manager for Solvay Advanced Polymers.

The flagship material is AvaSpire AV-722 BG 20, an unfilled resin that is the basis for most of the AV-700 series formulations. The line also consists of AvaSpire AV-722 CF30, a 30% carbon fiber-reinforced grade, and three wear-resistant grades (AV-742 SL30, AV-722 SL30, and AV-755 SL45). Another grade, 40% glass-filled AvaSpire AV-750 GF40, has been previously available.

All six grades provide the high-level performance that is on par with comparable PEEK grades in terms of strength and stiffness, elongation and toughness, fatigue resistance, heat resistance, chemical resistance and wear performance. Their melt viscosities and processability are also equivalent to those of standard PEEK grades. The materials can be injection molded or extruded on conventional processing machinery.

In friction and wear uses, AvaSpire AV-755 SL45 is targeted for high load-bearing applications in lubricated environments while AV-742 SL30 (high melt flow) and AV-722 SL30 (low melt flow) are suitable for both dry and lubricated applications. The AvaSpire 700 series is finding use in a broad range of applications including transmission components, engine parts, brake components, seals, valves, poppets, bushings and bearings.

The AV-700 series complements the company’s AV-600 series of modified PEEK materials, which offer higher ductility and higher modulus between 150 C and 190 C than comparable PEEK grades on the market. Both the AV-700 and AV-600 series products are based on the same nucleophilic PEEK resin manufactured by Solvay and used in the company’s KetaSpire® PEEK product line.

About Solvay Advanced Polymers
Solvay Advanced Polymers, LLC, produces more plastics with more performance than any other company in the world. This gives design engineers worldwide more ways to solve top design challenges in automotive, healthcare, electronics, aerospace and other demanding industries. Learn more at www.solvayadvancedpolymers.com.

SOLVAY is an international industrial Group active in Chemistry. It offers a broad range of products and solutions that contribute to improving quality of life. The Group is headquartered in Brussels and employs about 19,000 people in 50 countries. In 2009, its consolidated sales amounted to EUR 8.5 billion. Solvay is listed on the NYSE Euronext stock exchange in Brussels (NYSE Euronext: SOLB.BE - Bloomberg: SOLB.BB - Reuters: SOLBt.BR). Details are available at www.solvay.com.

Press Contact:
Joseph Grande
413.684.2463
joe.grande@verizon.net