VALOX 357 Boasts Strong Chemical, Heat Resistance for Plastic Parts
There are hundreds of plastic material options to sort through when designing for injection molding, and it can be hard to know which one is right for your project. Our Materials Science blog series aims to simplify the decision-making process, highlighting some key materials available in each of our manufacturing processes and breaking down the benefits.
When comparing options, consider each material's manufacturability characteristics, cosmetics, material properties, and cost to help guide your choice. Depending on your intended application, some of these characteristics will be more important than others. VALOX 357, for example, has strong chemical and flame resistant properties with exceptional processability and surface appearance.
VALOX 357 Properties and Ideal Applications
VALOX 357 is a non-reinforced, impact modified, injection moldable grade resin. The Polycarbonate/Polybutylene Terephthalate (PC/PBT) is highly flame retardant with good temperature performance and a relative temperature index of -40°F to 284°F. It also has high mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties; dimensional stability; and very good processability, making it a versatile general purpose resin that is an exceptional candidate for a wide variety of applications including bobbins, switches, and enclosures.
The VALOX family of resins are resistant to a variety of chemicals, including hydrocarbons, dilute acids and bases, detergents, and aqueous salt solutions. This strong chemical resistance and its dimensional stability make VALOX 357 a great option for applications ranging from automotive to electronic to medical uses. Common applications include parts for under-the-hood automotive, oil and gas, construction, outdoor (including lawn and garden equipment), fluid handling, electronic displays, lighting, appliances, household goods, and healthcare. In its natural state, VALOX 357 PBT is opaque in appearance.
VALOX 357 Specifications
When designing a part intended for VALOX 357 molding, you are likely looking for additional material specifications including hardness rating, tensile strength, and impact resistance. We’ve highlighted some of the material properties below, and you can find more detailed information on the material data sheet from SABIC published by UL Prospector.
VALOX 357 has a hardness rating of 117 on the Rockwell Hardness R-Scale, a 24-hour water absorption rate of 0.080%, and an outdoor suitability rating of f2 according to the UL 746C test. It has a tensile strength break at 6,090 psi on the ASTM D638 test and 5,800 psi on the ISO 527-2/50 test. The material has a tensile elongation break at 54% on the ASTM D638 test and 30% on the ISO 527-2/50 test.
Unlike VALOX 420SEO, VALOX 357 is not reinforced. If you are looking for a glass fiber reinforced Polybutylene Terephthalate with the same material properties and applications offered with VALOX 357, VALOX 420SEO is a good solution—it is a 30% glass-filled resin with many automotive, electrical, and aerospace applications. Both have high flow in thin sections, offering excellent surface finish. VALOX Polybutylenes also form a strong chemical bond with TPU and TPC thermoplastics.
For more information on our manufacturing materials, visit our material comparison guide, or register for a free injection molding material selector. The pocket-sized, quick-reference guide helps you identify the right materials for your next project, listing specific measurements on properties to ensure you have the most suitable material and process for your part’s application.