Ixef® PARA - Other Properties

Get the Performance You Need

Ixef® PARA’s broad product family gives you numerous ways to optimize performance, processing and price. Its high flow, dimensional stability, and high strength and stiffness make it suitable for replacing metal in a wide range of structural applications where aesthetics are important.

Discover all Ixef® PARA grades

Very High Strength and Stiffness

The tensile strength of Ixef® PARA compounds is similar to many cast metals and alloys at ambient temperature. Its flexural strength is also comparable to some metals

Tensile properties comparison*
Material	Tensile Strength at Break, MPa	Tensile Modulus, GPa
Ixef ® 1022 (50% glass fiber)	280	20
Ixef ® 1032 (60% glass fiber)	280	24
Tin Bronze	300	105
Brass	250	105
Annealed Zinc	150	105
Zinc Alloy (4% Al, 0.04% Mg)	280	85
Annealed Aluminum (99.6%)	70	69
Duralumin	190	74
Al Ag3 Alloy	140	69

*ASTM Test Method at 23°C (73°F)

Excellent Surface Finish

Ixef ® PARA’s ultra-smooth, resin-rich surface finish provides best-in-class aesthetics in structural thermoplastics. Plus, molded parts exhibit a low tendency for sink marks in both thin and thick components.

Very Low Creep

A 50% glass-filled Ixef ® grade deforms less than 1% after 1,000 hours under 50MPa (7,250 psi) at 50 °C (122°F), offering lower creep than some metals and most engineering polymers with similar glass fiber content.

Good Chemical Resistance

Ixef® PARA compounds are resistant to common solvents such as aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated solvents, ketones, esters, ethers and glycols. In addition, they resist aqueous solutions of many chemicals and cleaning fluids, standard engine oil (Type SAE 10W30), hydraulic oil and a variety of automotive fuels.

Slow Water Absorption Rate

The partially aromatic molecular structure of Ixef® PARA results in lower and slower water absorption than standard polyamides, thereby reducing the tendency to warp. The dimensional change of 50% glass-filled Ixef® 1022 is only 0.16% after 24-hour water immersion at room temperature.

Low Warpage

Compounds filled with glass fiber have a tendency to warp due to the non-uniform (anisotropic) parallel and perpendicular shrinkage rates. Compared to standard polyamides, Ixef® PARA compounds have a lower tendency to warp due to their lower anisotropic behavior. Moreover, there are special low warpage grades available.

Good Dimensional Stability

Ixef® PARA’s unique chemical nature provides its low mold shrinkage and low coefficient of expansion which translates into high reproducibility and the ability to maintain tight tolerances.

Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion of Ixef® Resin
Ixef® 1022	1.5 10^-5K^-1 (Flow direction)
Ixef® 1022	3.6 10^-5K^-1 (Transverse direction)
Steel	1.2 10^-5K^-1
Aluminum	2.4 10^-5K^-1
Brass	1.8 10^-5K^-1
Zinc	3 10^-5K^-1

Ease of Processing

Ixef® resin offers good injectability even for grades with high glass fiber content – ideal for molding complex or thin-walled parts. Immediately below the smooth outer surface, glass fibers orient in the flow direction, while at the core, fiber orientation becomes random. The result is a strong polymer with a beautiful, smooth finish.

Processing Temperatures
Cylinder Temperature
Feed zone	250 - 280°C
Compression zone	250 - 280°C
Metering zone or homogenization zone	250 - 280°C
Nozzle	260 - 290°C
Hot runners (when used)	250 - 260°C
Temperature of the Melt (measured on purged material)
Standard grades (eg. Ixef® 1022, 2030)	280°C
Impact modified (eg. Ixef® 1622) and flame retardant grades (eg. Ixef® 1521, 1524)	<270°C
Mold Temperature
Mold Temperature	120 - 140°C
Plasticizing
Screw Speed, peripheral⁽¹⁾	3-10 m/min
Back Pressure	0-10 bar
Injection
Injection Speed	High
Injection Pressure	500-1500 bar (material)
Hold and Cooling
Hold Pressure	500-1500 bar (material)
Hold time(sec)	3w ⁽²⁾
Cooling time, including hold time(sec)	2.5w^{2 (3)}