DSM Engineering Plastics – Technical Guide

Akulon® Ultraflow PA6

Recommendations for Injection Molding

Akulon Ultraflow

Akulon Ultraflow is a new PA6 product line within the product family Akulon (PA6, PA66) of DSM Engineering
Plastics. Akulon Ultraflow is an extremely easy to process material that offers up to 80% improved flow and up
to 40% reduction in injection molding cycle times in comparison to standard PA6 grades, with no significant
loss of mechanical properties.

Spiral flow Akulon Ultraflow vs Standard grade

600
Spiral length at spec. injection pressure 140 MPa
Wall thickness 2 mm
500

400

Ultrafl
300
Ultrafl

Ultrafl

200
Ultrafl

100

0
K-FHG6 K-FHG0 K-FHG12 K-FHGM24

Cycle time

Due to the lower possible processing temperatures and/or due to the faster crystallisation of Akulon Ultraflow,
compared to the standard PA6, shorter holding and cooling times are possible (up to 40% reduction)

Drying

Akulon Ultraflow is packed dry (moisture content < 0.15%) and does not require pre-drying before processing.
Drying is required when the material is exposed to humid air and should be done in air circulation ovens or in
dehumidified hopper dryer both with a dew point below -30°C.

Drying conditions dehumidified dryer

Moisture content Time Temperature
0.05 - 0.2% 2-4h 80°C
0.2 - 0.5 % 4-8h 80°C

All information supplied by or on behalf of DSM in relation to its products, whether in the nature of data, recommendations or otherwise, is supported by research and, in good faith, believed reliable, but DSM assumes no liability
and makes no warranties of any kind, express or implied, including, but not limited to, those of title, merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose or non-infringeme nt or any warranty arising from a course of dealing, usage, or
trade practice whatsoever in respect of application, processing or use made of the aforementioned information or product. The user assumes all responsibility for the use of all information provided and shall verify quality and
other properties or any consequence from the use of all such information.
DSM Engineering Plastics – Technical Guide
Temperature settings
From
A Mold Temperature between 40-90°C for good Ultraflow hopper Nozzle Melt Mold
dimensional stability and flow properties is recommended to °C °C °C
nozzle
°C
Injection speed K-F(H)G6 230-250 250-275 245-270 40-90
K-F(H)G7 230-250 250-275 245-270 40-90
Due to the excellent flow of the Ultraflow grades the K-F(H)G8 230-260 260-280 245-270 40-90
injection speed and level can be reduced. Keep injection K-F(H)G9 230-260 260-280 245-270 40-90
K-F(H)G0 230-260 260-280 245-270 40-90
speed moderate to high in order to:
K-F(H)G12 230-270 270-285 250-280 40-90
K-FHGM24 230-260 250-275 250-275 40-90
- obtain good surface K220-HGM44 230-270 260-275 250-275 40-90
- obtain maximum glass fibre orientation K-FKGS6 230-250 250-275 250-275 40-90
- injection pressure up to 30% lower than standard
PA GF.

When injection speed is limited due to the appearance of diesel effect, burned spots or splay,
improve cavity venting or reduce injection speed.

Holding pressure

Due to the lower required injection pressure the holding pressure and time can be reduced. This means:
• less internal stress
• maximum glass fibre orientation retained
• holding pressure up to 20% lower than the standard PA GF.
• holding time and pressure depend on runner design and shape of molded article.

Cooling phase

Cooling time (faster crystallisation) is short of Akulon Ultraflow grades. Plasticizing time and sprue/runner
dimensions can be the limiting factor for the cooling time.

Screw rotation speed

Keep screw rotation speed as low as possible (optimum 0,3 m/sec) in order to:

- minimize thermal load

- maximize homogeneity (color masterbatch)

Minimal screw rotation speed is restricted by the cooling time (plasticizing time).

Back pressure
Recommended back pressure 30-100 bar (effective)
• keep back pressure low in order to prevent long plasticizing times.
• increase backpressure with use of color masterbacth
• depends on cooling time.

All information supplied by or on behalf of DSM in relation to its products, whether in the nature of data, recommendations or otherwise, is supported by research and, in good faith, believed reliable, but DSM assumes no liability
and makes no warranties of any kind, express or implied, including, but not limited to, those of title, merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose or non-infringeme nt or any warranty arising from a course of dealing, usage, or
trade practice whatsoever in respect of application, processing or use made of the aforementioned information or product. The user assumes all responsibility for the use of all information provided and shall verify quality and
other properties or any consequence from the use of all such information.