U.S. MTP developed unfilled thermoplastic

US Mississippi (Mississippi) Polymer Technology (MPT) is developing and producing industrially self-reinforced or hard-rod polymer Parmax. Parmax is a poly-p-phenylene copolymer, which is said to have the highest strength and rigidity in the world so far. Unfilled thermoplastic.

According to reports, MPT plans to start selling plastic-grade poly(p-phenylene) copolymers in the summer of 2004. In the autumn, it will introduce industrial-grade extrusion-grade grades. In 2005, it will supply injection-grade grades.

The Parmax phenylene rigid backbone molecular chains give it much higher mechanical properties than other unfilled thermoplastics. According to Romance Chavers, MPT's Parmax product manager, Parmax's tensile modulus (8.3 GPa) and tensile strength (207 MPa) are double that of other high-performance engineering plastics (such as PEEK, PEI, PI, and PPS). Other excellent properties of Parmax include flame-retardant resin, non-absorbent, high scratch resistance, and excellent mechanical properties at low temperatures. The Parmax application market includes the defense industry (adequate funding for development funds), aerospace, industrial components, medical facilities and the electronics industry. MPT's existing Parmax has an annual production capacity of 66 tons, which is planned to increase to 227 tons per year within one year. The current price is 35 US dollars/pound (13 euros/kg), which is equivalent to PEEK (polyether ether ketone) Victrex.