A new range of Noryl and Valox automotive resins, designed to assist in the development of lighter alternative powertrain solutions for hybrid, plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and battery electric vehicles (BEV), has been introduced by SABIC Innovative Plastics.

The company describes the Noryl polyphenylene oxide (PPO) and Valox polybutadiene terephthalate (PBT) resins as ‘excellent choices for battery components, frames and housings’. According to the company, the resins also offer chemical and temperature resistance, dimensional stability, improved impact characteristics and improved fl ame retardance. Further to this, battery packs made using PPO and PBT resins offer lower initial mould shrinkage and warp, and lower moisture absorbency, which helps to minimise dimensional and mechanical property changes in comparison to crystalline resins such as polyamides. SABIC states that as polyamides use glass fi llers, they could suffer from dimensional control issues due to anisotropic shrinkage and expansion, a problem said not to affect the Noryl resin product. - www.sabic.com