Short-Glass Fiber Filled PP Compounds for Automotive

Two new short-glass fiber filled PP compounds designed for structural automotive applications have been introduced by SABIC. The SABIC  PP G3430X and G3440X compounds boast enhanced performance and processing for demanding automotive underhood, exterior and interior applications. The two advanced grades reportedly surpass high-performing standard short-glass fiber materials in melt flow, tensile and flexural strength, and flexural modulus. They are said to offer  customers new opportunities to raise the performance bar for structural components such as brackets, seat structures and center consoles. Furthermore, thanks to their thin-wall capability, both materials can be used to design parts with lower mass and weight.

SABIC PP compound G3430X grade, with 30% short glass fiber, and SABIC PP compound G3440X grade, with 40%, are said to deliver superior physical properties vs. conventional short glass fiber PP materials and high melt flow for easy processing. Both reportedly deliver an excellent balance of stiffness and impact for optimal performance in structural parts, with G3440X compound providing a higher degree of stiffness and greater density than the G3430X compound. In addition to offering superior performance compared to other short-glass fiber PP compounds, these materials may be candidates for the cost-effective replacement of long-glass fiber PP in certain low-temperature applications. Combined with exceptional stiffness and very good impact properties, the high melt flow of these materials offers opportunities to design thin-wall components to reduce weight without compromising overall part performance.

Besides helping to improve overall performance of the vehicle, reducing weight may also contribute to cost savings through the use of less material. Furthermore, cost benefits can accrue from higher productivity associated with faster cycle times, which can be enabled by higher flow. Both SABIC PP compounds are available in standard black and natural and can be custom colored.