Excellent heat resistance, strength and stiffness
Polyamide Resin

Leona Leona

What is LEONA™ SU series, semi-aromtic PA ?

LEONA™ S series is an alloy grade of semi-aromatic polyamide (PA) with polyamide 66 (PA66) or polyamide 6 (PA6).
By creating an alloy with a semi-aromatic polyamide, we have successfully overcome the problems of the dimensions changing and the material properties degrading after absorption of water, which are issues with PA66 and PA6. At the same time, the LEONA™ S series also offers a specific strength comparable to die-cast 

The product lineup offers the following three grades (series).

Good appearance/high strength: SG
Good appearance/high strength/flame retardant: SN (non-halogen/non-red-phosphorus flame retardant), SH (halogen flame retardant)
Good appearance/weather resistant: SU

This page introduces the LEONA™ SU series. It is a new innovative PA6+PA6I alloy-based material developed by Asahi Kasei. It is able to achieve outstanding post molded appearance and meeting stringent UV test requirements. With it good retention of physical properties after water absorbed condition, LEONA™ SU Series can meet structural applications that conventional PA6 may struggle to meet.

 

レオナ™ SUシリーズの想定用途

LEONA™ SU series characteristics

Excellent weatherability resistance


One important criterion for exterior applications is having excellent weathering resistance properties. Under various weathering tests like SAE J2527, ISO 4892-2, and JIS K7350-4, the LEONA™ SU series is able to achieve good results and it meets the automotive criteria. The below graph shows weathering test of the LEONA™ SU series according to SAE J2527.

In addition, LEONA™ SU series performance was validated at part application level. The color change and gloss retention met the OEM requirements with also no crack or chalking found in the part.

Excellent Outdoor Protection
Excellent Outdoor Protection

With numerous positive tests and validation of the LEONA™ SU series, this makes it an excellent choice for a wide range of exterior applications.
Asahi Kasei Plastics Singapore (APS) is an ISO 17K accredited laboratory and is certified for weathering test equipment and evaluation procedures according to ISO 4892. Such weathering tests require time-consuming evaluation and high reliability, and by acquiring and providing data at the APS laboratory, we are able to deliver highly reliable data to our customers in a timely manner.

 https://www.asahi-kasei.com.sg/APS/technical-support-center/laboratory-accreditation/

Aesthetic surface appearance

Incorporating both excellent weathering performance and post-molded surface, the LEONA™ SU series can allow OEMs to enjoy cost and secondary process reduction.
For applications in black, painting options can be omitted using the LEONA™ SU series. The part can immediately be adopted after injection molding without going through a secondary painting process. Omitting the painting process also allows cost reduction which is an important factor in all industries. 
LEONA™ SU series surface appearance is able to achieve a high level of gloss even at GF 60% content. This combination of high stiffness and excellent surface allows the LEONA™ SU series to be adopted for structurally demanding exterior parts.

PA66 general grades, which contain a large amount of GF for strength and rigidity, have the disadvantage that GF floats on the surface, giving the surface a crumbly appearance and making it difficult to use in products that are visible to the human eye. The LEONA™ SU series, however, does not show GF floating and produces a glossy molded product.
Also, since good-looking parts can be obtained even at low injection molding speeds, a wide range of production conditions can be handled.

Excellent Aesthetical Finish
Excellent Aesthetical Finish
LEONA™ SU series molded sample
LEONA™ SU series molded sample

Well balanced mechanical properties, even under wet condition

LEONA™ SU series is able to achieve structural applications that conventional polyamides are not able to meet. Due to its enhanced mechanical strength in wet conditions, it is even possible to replace high glass filled content PA6 materials.
A structural application that is originally using PA6 GF 45% was validated using LEONA™ SU20C (GF 35%) and results have proven to meet the OEM requirements despite having 10% lower GF content. 
This enhanced mechanical performance could allow a wider range of design options and considerations.

Enhanced Mechanical Performances
Enhanced Mechanical Performances

Good flowability, easy processing

LEONA™ SU series can be processed and molded easily using a standard injection molding machine. Its excellent flow allows flexible designs and processability.  LEONA™ SU206 for example, has a flow performance better than conventional PA66 GF 50%. This is despite having higher GF content of 60%.
The potential to enable the molding of large, thin-walled, and complex-shaped products may contribute to metal replacement and product miniaturization and weight reduction.

レオナ™ SUシリーズ スパイラルフローの流動長比較
Good Flowability = Easy Processing

In a successful development application, exsiting material used required annealing after molding to prevent failure during assembly. LEONA™ SU206 however, showed that it does not require any annealing treatment. The ease of molding and good crystallisation allows adequate strength and performance without the need for annealing.

レオナ™ SUシリーズ 二次加工工程(アニール処理)の削減事例
Secondary Process removal – Actual Part

LEONA™ SU series line-up

LEONA™ SU20C
(development grade)
  • High mechanical strength and modulus
  • PA6+6I alloy
  • GF35%
  • High mechanical strength in wet condition
  • Higher dimensional stability in wet condition
  • Good flowability
  • Excellent surface appearance
  • Recommended application: automotive inner/external mechanical parts for metal replacement, household, appliances etc.
LEONA™ SU206
(development grade)
  • High mechanical strength and modulus
  • PA6+6I alloy
  • GF60%
  • High mechanical strength in wet condition
  • Higher dimensional stability in wet condition
  • Good flowability
  • Excellent surface appearance
  • Recommended application: automotive inner/external parts for metal replacement

Application Cases

Outer mirror base

×

Parts for fixing mirrors used by drivers to check the side and rear of the vehicle. 
The part must be strong and rigid enough not to break even if a person hangs from it, and must have a beautiful appearance and weather resistance even without coloring.

https://www.asahi-kasei-plastics.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/mirrorbase.jpg

Products

Features

  • Excellent surface appearance
  • Weather resistance
  • High stiffness
  • Excellent moldability

Rear view mirror bracket

×

A component used to fix a mirror for checking rearward vision. 
In recent years, housings for forward detection ADAS components are also integrated. High appearance without coloring and rigidity to prevent blurring are required.

https://www.asahi-kasei-plastics.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/roommirror.jpg

Products

Features

  • High stiffness
  • Excellent surface appearance
  • Excellent moldability

Related Contents

Product Data/Tips for Use *Handling Precautions

Precautions for handling LEONA™

The content of this document is based on materials, information, and data available at this time, and may be revised based on new findings. Please note that these are provided as information and are not guaranteed. Therefore, when using our products, please take full consideration of the usage environment, design, etc., and use them at your own risk after judging that there is no problem with the product.

1. Handling Precautions

The following items are the main points of care for handling the LEONA™ itself supplied to your company. Please use it for safe handling of LEONA™.
A separate material safety data sheet has been prepared for handling precautions for LEONA™. Please contact us and we will send it to you. We request that your company investigate the safety of additives, etc. that your company uses other than LEONA™.

(1) Precautions for safety and health
Care should be taken to avoid contact with the eyes, skin, and inhalation of gases generated when LEONA™ dries or melts. Also, avoid direct contact with hot resin. It is recommended to install a local exhaust system and wear protective equipment (protective glasses, protective gloves, etc.) for each work such as drying and melting.

(2) Precautions regarding combustion
LEONA™ is flammable and should be handled and stored away from heat and sources of ignition. If it burns, it may generate toxic or suffocating gas. Extinguishing can be done with water, foam or dry chemical.

(3) Notes on disposal
LEONA™ can be disposed of by incineration or landfill, but when disposing of it, please entrust it to an authorized industrial waste disposal company or local public body in accordance with the "Waste Disposal and Public Cleansing Law". Also, when incinerating by yourself, please use incineration equipment and follow laws and ordinances such as the Air Pollution Control Law. When incinerated, toxic gases such as carbon monoxide and suffocating gases may be generated.

(4) Notes on storage
Absolutely avoid resin contamination and moisture absorption. Store in a cool, dry place and start molding immediately after opening. Do not pierce the product bag or let it get wet. Also, do not return spilled resin to the product bag. It is a combustible material (synthetic resins) designated by the Fire Service Act, and should be handled in accordance with municipal ordinances. (Fire extinguishing facility, indoor storage facility, etc.)

(5) Notes on molding
The optimum resin temperature for molding LEONA™ is 270 to 310°C. If it is lower than this, there is a risk of local degradation of physical properties due to non-uniform plasticization. On the other hand, if it is higher than this, there is a risk of gas generation due to decomposition or poor appearance such as silver. However, there are some exceptions such as FR200 and FR370, so be sure to refer to individual catalogs before molding. Also, do not allow LEONA™ to stay in the molding machine cylinder for a long time in a molten state. Doing so may cause the resin to decompose, resulting in discoloration or deterioration of the molded product. In that case, once replace the inside of the cylinder with polyethylene, etc., and then perform molding.

2. Usage

  • ・Do not use LEONA™ for embedding in the body or for direct contact with bodily fluids or infusion fluids.
  • ・When using for other medical purposes, please be sure to contact us in advance.
  • ・Do not use for applications that come into contact with food, such as food packaging containers.
  • ・Please contact us for details.
  • ・If you are considering using our products for other special purposes, please contact us and we will discuss them individually.
  • ・Please contact our person in charge for details on the compatibility of each grade with the Electrical Appliance and Material Control Law, UL standards, CSA standards, etc.

3.Others

Please be aware of industrial property rights when using this product.

Please contact us to ask any questions, discuss any concerns, and request samples.

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