Ticona Introduces New Celstran® Long-Fiber Reinforced PBTs
New Long-Fiber Reinforced Polyesters Minimize Warpage in Critical Parts
Summit, New Jersey, November 12, 2002 – Ticona, the technical polymers business
of Celanese AG (NYSE: CZ; FSE: CZZ), has introduced Celstran long-fiber reinforced
polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) grades with 30, 40 and 50 percent long-glass fibers –
Celstran PBT-GF30, Celstran PBT-GF40 and Celstran PBT-GF50, respectively. The
company also introduced a 40 percent long-carbon fiber PBT grade, Celstran PBT-CF40.
The new grades contain a Ticona PBT polymer specifically formulated to improve
the mechanical properties of long-fiber composites. The tailored resin and Ticona
proprietary technology used to compound it with long fibers ensure excellent fiber wet out,
high adhesion between the PBT matrix and the fiber, and ease of molding. Ticona’s PBT
experience and long-fiber technology expertise combined to generate these new materials
with outstanding processing and end-item properties. Warpage of critical PBT parts is
expected to be minimized while maintaining excellent surface finish.
The impact, tensile and flexural strengths of the new long-fiber reinforced PBT
grades are nearly identical to those of nylon. Compared to polypropylene (PP), they have
100 MPa greater tensile and flexural strengths and 10 kJ/m2 greater impact strength. They
also have far better properties than short-glass-fiber reinforced PBT. For instance, they have
three times the impact strength of short-glass reinforced PBT (10 kJ/m2 to 30kJ/m2), as well
as better creep resistance, dimensional stability and performance at temperature.
"The new long-fiber PBT grades perform much like those made of PP, but have far
more strength," says Doug Mankoff, Celstran product marketing manager. "In addition, the
new grades are stiffer than long glass nylon, yet have nearly the same toughness. They are
good candidates for applications when long-fiber reinforced PP and short-fiber reinforced
PBT do not perform well and when long-fiber reinforced nylon can’t be used because of its
moisture absorbency."
Compared to PP grades, the new Celstran PBT grades are easier to color and offer a
more effective substrate for painting and adhesive bonding. Unlike nylon, they are nonhygroscopic so their performance does not change with humidity changes. They are
available in natural, black and custom colors.
Celstran long-fiber reinforced plastics use a patented technology to combine long
glass, carbon, aramid and stainless steel fibers (typically 11 mm long) with such base resins
as polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, polyurethane, acetal, polyphenylene sulfide and
polyesters. Celstran materials provide advanced performance for applications that cannot
be met by plastics reinforced with short fibers (2 mm or less).
About Ticona and Celanese
Ticona, the technical polymers business of Celanese AG, Frankfurt, produces and
markets a broad range of engineering polymers and achieved sales of ¤ 773 million in 2001.
The company has production, compounding and research facilities in the USA, Germany, the
UK, and Brazil.
Celanese AG is a global chemicals company with leading positions in its key products
and world class process technology. The Celanese portfolio consists of five main businesses:
Acetyl Products, Intermediates, Acetate Products, Technical Polymers Ticona and Performance
Products. The Performance Products business consists of oriented polypropylene films (OPP),
sweeteners and food ingredients. Celanese AG generated sales of around ¤ 5.1 billion in 2001
and has about 11,800 employees. The company has 30 production plants and five research
centers in 11 countries mainly in North America, Europe and Asia. Celanese AG shares are
listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (symbol CZZ) and on the New York Stock Exchange
(symbol CZ).
For further information about Ticona and Celanese, please visit our websites:
and .
