At the recent 49th Dornbirn Manmade Fibre Conference in Austria, Andreas Flacheneker of Polyamide High Performance (PHP), provided details of the improvements made by his company to Stanylenka PA 4.6 multifilament yarns since their introduction in 2006.

Compared to technical PA 6.6 multifilament yarns which have a heat resistance peak of around 130°C, Stanylenka PA 4.6 yarns have a melting temperature as high as 285°C, and they also have a much higher crystalinity. This makes them suitable for a range of demanding industrial applications, particularly in the automotive industry, including in transmission belting and hoses, and as tyre cap plies and airbag sewing threads.

Mr Flacheneker said further development work on PA 4.6 had resulted in yarns with higher long-term thermal stability and also better fatigue resistance, as well as reduced creep.

PHP was formed in 2003 following the breaking up of the Acordis Group. In 2009 it took over Diolen Industrial Fibers, establishing Polyester High Performance GmbH as a subsidiary.

This year’s 49th Dornbirn Manmade Fibres Conference, held from September 15-17 in the Austrian city attracted 650 attendees, a significant increase on 2009, and auguring well for the 50th anniversary event in 2011.