Celanese Corporation recently announced it will celebrate 50 years of the Celcon/Hostaform acetal copolymer (POM) product line at K 2013 in Düsseldorf, Germany, by introducing its new Hostaform XGC glass reinforced series for demanding structural applications.

The introduction of the new Hostaform XGC POM series, which combines improved mechanical properties with a superior anisotropic shrinkage factor vs. other glass fiber reinforced resins, is one of several Celanese is scheduled to make at booths A07 and B07 in Hall 06 during K 2013, the international trade fair for plastics and rubber.  This new series gives customers a competitive edge in innovative structural applications, such as window lift plates, gears and motor housings that are used in a variety of industry segments.

The Hostaform XGC POM series uses innovative hybrid technology developed by Celanese, which improves coupling strength of POM to glass fiber reinforcement. The latest Celanese innovation continues the drive to expand the Hostaform POM specialty product line and provide customers a new level of performance in a short-glass filled copolymer.

“With improved mechanicals and lower anisotropic shrinkage behavior, our Hostaform XGC POM series can challenge short-glass filled polyamide (PA) and thermoplastic polyester (PBT) products,” said Joachim Floeck, Celanese POM product marketing manager Europe. “The Hostaform XGC POM series is extremely innovative, provides wider design latitude and offers features that clearly differentiate it from other short-glass fiber POM copolymers and homopolymers.

The new series includes two core grades: XGC10 and XGC25, 10 and 25 percent short-glass fiber reinforced, respectively. Mechanical improvements of Hostaform XGC25 POM vs. conventional glass fiber reinforced POM include:
•10 percent better tensile stress at break
•130 percent improvement in Charpy impact strength
•60 percent increase in Charpy notched impact strength

The improved mechanical properties of Hostaform XGC make it a “best-in-class” for a glass fiber copolymer. More importantly, the series can compete with short-glass fiber reinforced PAs and PBTs. In addition, there are two tribology modified grades: XGC15-LW-01 and XGC25-LW-01, 15 and 25 percent short-glass reinforced grades, respectively. Both offer the structural integrity from glass fiber reinforcement with the tribology of an unreinforced grade.

“Celanese polymer scientists began a revolution in POM innovation with our hybrid chemistry, which significantly expanded what was previously possible with conventional POM copolymers,” said Kirsten Markgraf, Celanese product development - POM. “This all began with the introduction of high-impact Hostaform S 9364 at Chinaplas 2008, followed by Hostaform POM S 9362 and S 9363 to broaden the product offerings at Chinaplas 2009 and now the Hostaform XGC series at K 2013.”