Today's KNOWLEDGE Share:Polydicyclopentadiene (pDCPD)

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Polydicyclopentadiene (pDCPD)

Polydicyclopentadiene (pDCPD) is a relatively new polymer which is formed through Ring opening metathesis polymerisation (ROMP) of  Dicyclopentadiene (DCPD).

pDCPD is a custom-engineered thermoset polymer designed to deliver an excellent combination of chemical, corrosion, and heat resistance, plus stiffness and impact strength. This material blends the molding flexibility of a thermoset with the high-performance characteristics of top engineering thermoplastics. It has a heat deflection temperature of up to 120°C.

pDCPD is unique because it has virtually no part size or weight limitations — parts with variable wall thicknesses, molded stiffening ribs, and more won’t slow down production. pDCPD is a relatively new material and its applications are limited as of yet, but it’s shown promise in corrosion-resistant chemical process equipment, septic tanks, and water treatment equipment.

Equipment

DCPD resins are transformed using high pressure RIM equipment as used in the polyurethane industry, with some small changes to be considered. As a reference, a widely used machine to inject DCPD resins is the Cannon A-100 fitted with a DCPD kit. The most important change is that the resin can never be in contact with air or moisture, which required a nitrogen blanket in the tanks. The tools or moulds are closed tools and are being clamped using a hydraulic press. Due to the fact that the resins shrink about 6% in volume during reaction, these presses (also called clamping units) don't have to handle high pressures such as for Sheet Moulding Compound (SMC) or expanding polyurethane.

Advantages of pDCPD:

Combines chemical, corrosion, and heat resistance

No part size or weight limitation – won’t slow down production

Blends molding flexibility with high performance

Disadvantages of pDCPD:

New material: applications are limited

Applications:

Since pDCPD is still a young material, the number of applications is quite limited. The major success story is in the field of body panels, mainly for tractors, construction equipment, trucks and buses. In the industrial applications, the main success story is components for chlor-alkali production (e.g. cell covers for electrolyzers). Other applications can be developed where impact resistance in combination with rigidity, 3D design and/or corrosion resistance is required.

source:telene