Rolling out the latest grade at this year’s fair in Dusseldorf

Milliken & Company will introduce the latest extreme performance colorants for advanced engineering polymers at this year’s K 2022 trade fair. A diversified global manufacturer with more than 70 locations worldwide, Milliken is a trusted supplier of colorants and plastics additives, and this addition of RESIST™ XTR 9798 builds on the existing, well-established portfolio while continuing to contribute to a more sustainable future.

Milliken’s RESIST™ XTR colorants designed for extreme conditions and demanding applications

Milliken first launched RESIST, a spectrum of bright, high-performance colorants for engineering plastics, at the K 2019 show, and is pleased to be rolling out this latest grade at this year’s fair in Dusseldorf, taking place from October 19-26.

RESIST XTR 9798 is a high chromatic orange that Milliken has designed specifically to meet the extreme colorants performance required for demanding applications such as high-voltage battery connectors in electric vehicles (EVs) as well as for other demanding applications.

From a safety perspective, such color-coding is important for clearly identifying such parts. And with the advancement of the EV sector, Milliken is pleased to contribute in a small way to the ongoing shift away from fossil fuels.

Customers can formulate the desired RAL 2003 shade using RESIST XTR Orange 9798 with multiple high-performance polymers, including polyamide 6, polyamide 66, polyamide 46, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyphthalamide (PPA), and polysulfone (PSU), among others. Milliken is pleased to provide formulation solutions advice on both colorants and additives to meet RAL 2003 requirements for multiple polymers and applications.

RESIST XTR Orange 9798 shows excellent performance and compatibility with other performance additives and fillers such as glass fibers, glass beads, flame retardants (halogen as well as halogen-free), and both short- and long-term heat stabilizers.

This latest grade meets the color and performance requirements of both short- and long-term thermal stability tests such as 1,000 hours at 120°C. RESIST XTR 9798 delivers a consistent, stable chromatic orange color in engineering thermoplastics at lower loadings. This colorant also displays improved weather resistance and excellent lightfastness under UV exposure.

Polyamide resins and other high-heat engineering polymers present unique challenges in the world of plastics. As the materials of choice in demanding electrical, automotive and industrial applications, these resins are subject to high-temperature processing and require steady, reliable performance properties, making vibrancy of color difficult to achieve.

RESIST XTR 9798 offers excellent thermal stability up to 300°C or more, maintains the polymer’s electrical properties, and offers reliable availability due to Milliken’s proven supply chain.

“Milliken is committed to developing high-performance colorants for extremely demanding applications such as the RAL 2003 shade for EVs,” according to Sami T.K. Palanisami, Senior Global Marketing & Sales Manager for Non-Polyolefin Colorants & Additives. “While we have started with a brilliant orange for RESIST XTR,” he added, “we have plans to offer the grade in other colors, as well, such as yellow, red, blue and green.”