ABS/nylon 6 family challenges PC/ABS. (Keeping Up With Materials).

Novel compatibilizers are said to make a new line of ABS/nylon 6 blends suitable for replacing ABS, PC/ABS, PC/PBT, or ABS/PBT in automotive, recreational goods, electronics, and appliance housings. The Terblend N family from BASF Corp., Mt. Olive, N.J., reportedly offers an excellent balance of toughness and stiffness, plus easy processing and exceptionally good surface feel and appearance. It closely replicates any mold surface from matte to high gloss. Unfilled grades (1.07 g/cc density) are said to be cost-effective in auto interior parts (consoles, glove boxes, airbag covers) and exterior mirror housings, as well as housings for computers and cell phones. (ABS/nylon blends are also sold by Bayer Corp., Pittsburgh, under the Triax name.)

Acoustic damping performance of Terblend N reportedly exceeds that of PC/ABS and PP, resulting in a less tinny sound, which is a key benefit in auto interiors. Chemical resistance reportedly exceeds that of PC/PBT or even glass-filled nylon.

The new family includes high-toughness, unfilled Terblend NMX03 with notched Izod impact of 65 kJ/[m.sup.2] at room temperature (about one-third higher than PC/ABS) and 50 kJ/[m.sup.2] at -30 C (-22 F). Unfilled, high-stiffness NM-12 has 319,000 psi flex modulus. Reinforced grades NG-02 and NG-04 (8% and 20% glass, respectively) offer flex moduli as high as 652,500 psi. Tel: [phone], www.basf.com