Contributes to product weight reduction and high precision
Modified PPE Resin

Overview and Features

What is XYRON™?

XYRON™ is Asahi Kasei's family of modified PPE (modified polyphenylene ether or mPPE) resin products. 

Modified PPE resins are polymer alloys formed by compounding PPE resins with other types of resin. PPE resins are engineering plastics featuring excellent heat resistance, flame retardance, electrical properties, and dimensional stability, with low water absorption and low specific gravity. PPE resins are amorphous thermoplastic resins. 

Asahi Kasei uses 2,6-xylenol as a raw material to produce PPE, and then to form alloys and compounds with other resins to yield an extensive lineup of material grades. For each type of alloy, we offer various grades to meet a diverse range of customer needs, making us Asia's No. 1 manufacturer* of modified PPE resins. 

*Source: Sales volume from Fuji Keizai's 2023 Engineering Plastics Market Outlook and Global Strategy.

xyron

Key features of XYRON ™

XYRON ™ is Asahi Kasei's family of modified PPE resins. These products are classified as engineering plastics featuring outstanding heat resistance and mechanical strength. 

Classification of plastics and positioning of modified PPE resin XYRON™

PPE resins are amorphous thermoplastic, and XYRON ™ modified PPE resins are engineering plastics boasting the following key properties.

Heat resistance

XYRON ™ modified PPE resins offer excellent heat resistance, with high glass-transition temperatures in the range 90–220°C. 

heat resistance of modified PPE resin XYRON™
Glass transition temperature of modified PPE resin XYRON™

Flame retardancy

XYRON ™ resins have a high oxygen index (a measure of the volume of oxygen required for burning), making them highly flame retardant. 

Oxygen index comparison of each engineering plastic (non-reinforced)
Oxygen index comparison of each engineering plastic (non-reinforced)

Electrical insulation

XYRON ™ modified PPE resins have high volume resistivity (a measure of resistance to the flow of electric current), making them highly electrically insulating. 

Volume resistivity comparison of each engineering plastic (non-reinforced)
Volume resistivity comparison of each engineering plastic (non-reinforced)

Dimensional stability 

XYRON ™ modified PPE resins have low mold shrinkage, ensuring excellent dimensional stability and dimensional precision. 

Linear expansion coefficient comparison of each engineering plastic (non-reinforced)
Linear expansion coefficient comparison of each engineering plastic (non-reinforced)

Low water absorption, hydrolysis resistance, acid and alkaline resistance

XYRON ™ modified PPE resins boast low water absorption, ensuring minimal variation in product dimensions and physical properties due to water absorption. These materials also offer excellent hydrolysis resistance, and ability to withstand acid and alkaline exposure, making them highly durable in harsh environments. 

Water absorption comparison of each engineering plastic (non-reinforced)
Water absorption comparison of each engineering plastic (non-reinforced)

It also has excellent heat resistance, so it is also excellent in hot water resistance and hydrolysis resistance. The table below shows that the deterioration of physical properties of XYRON™ is small in terms of Charpy impact strength after standing for 3,500 hours in a high-temperature, high-humidity environment.

In addition, it is highly resistant to acids and alkalis, and has excellent environmental durability.

Hot water resistance and hydrolysis resistance of modified PPE resin XYRON™ (non-reinforced)
Comparison of Charpy impact strength of modified PPE resin XYRON™ (non-reinforced) and PC (non-reinforced) after standing for 3,500 hours in a high-temperature, high-humidity environment

Low specific gravity

XYRON™ modified PPE resins are lightweight materials boasting the lowest specific gravities of all engineering plastics.
Choosing XYRON™ resins helps to reduce component weights. 

Comparison of specific gravity of each engineering plastic (non-reinforced)
Comparison of specific gravity of each engineering plastic (non-reinforced)

Low dielectric permittivity and low dielectric loss tangent

PPE, the main raw material of XYRON ™ modified PPE resins, features low dielectric permittivity and a low dielectric loss tangent, ensuring minimal transmission losses and making these materials ideal for use in information and communication technologies. The high glass-transition temperature of PPE also ensures that the temperature dependence of the dielectric permittivity is lower for XYRON ™products than for other heat-resistant resins. 

Comparison of dielectric properties of each engineering plastic (non-reinforced)
Comparison of dielectric properties of each engineering plastic (non-reinforced)

XYRON ™ modified PPE resins combine the low dielectric permittivity of PPE with the advantages of Asahi Kasei's compound technology to support a wide range of dielectric permittivity needs. In particular, we offer dielectric constant (Dk) / dissipation factor (Df) controlled grades providing a wide range of dielectric permittivity, including grades combining high dielectric permittivity with a low dielectric loss tangent. 

Wide Range of Dielectric Properties of Modified PPE Resin XYRON™
Wide Range of Dielectric Properties of Modified PPE Resin XYRON™

Regrindability

The excellent heat resistance and hydrolysis resistance of XYRON™ modified PPE resins ensure that these products exhibit minimal variation in physical properties upon recycling and regrinding, making these materials easy to reuse. 

Also, the light weight of XYRON ™resins—which boast the lowest specific gravities of all engineering plastics—reduces the volume of material needed for product manufacturing. Together with the ease of recycling, this ensures that the choice of XYRON ™ resins reduces material-use volumes at every stage of the product cycle, helping to reduce environmental impact.  

Regrindability of modified PPE resin XYRON™ (non-reinforced)
Regrind properties of modified PPE resin XYRON™ (unreinforced) and PC material (unreinforced) Charpy impact strength retention comparison

Reasons for choosing XYRON™

01

Asia's Number-One Supplier of m-PPE resins*

XYRON ™ modified PPE resins are compounds combining PPE with other types of resin. 

Asahi Kasei uses 2,6-xylenol as a raw material to produce PPE, and then forms polymer alloys by compounding with various other resins—including polystyrene (PS), polyamide (PA), polypropylene (PP), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), and polyphthalamide (PPA)—to yield an extensive lineup of material grades. For each type of alloy, we offer various grades to meet a diverse range of customer needs, making us Asia's No. 1 manufacturer* of modified PPE resins. 

*Source: Sales volume from Fuji Keizai's 2023 Engineering Plastics Market Outlook and Global Strategy.

Modified PPE Resin XYRON™ Lineup
Wide lineup of modified PPE resin XYRON™

Modified PPE resin XYRON™ also has "PPE raw material (PPE powder)" which is not compounded with other resins.
The PPE raw material is an amorphous polymer with high heat resistance, low specific gravity, excellent electriclal properties and flame resistance, and excellent compatibility with polystyrene.

Handling Grades of XYRON™ PPE Raw Materials
Handling Grades of XYRON™ PPE Raw Materials

Applications

Solar cell junction box
Next-generation communication technologies
PPE, the main raw material of XYRON ™ resins, features low dielectric permittivity and a low dielectric loss tangent, ensuring minimal transmission losses even at high frequencies. The excellent dielectric behavior of PPE, together with Asahi Kasei's compound technology, allows XYRON ™ resins to meet a wide range of permittivity needs, from smartphone cases to base-station antenna covers. 
Environmental energy 
XYRON ™ resins boast high heat resistance and flame retardance, low water absorption, good dimensional stability, excellent electrical insulation, good mechanical properties even in hot, humid environments, and minimal dimensional variation. These properties have led to the adoption of XYRON ™ materials for technologies such as photovoltaics or solar-power junction boxes.  The low ion elution of XYRON ™ resins has led to their adoption for components of stationary fuel cells. 
Home appliances / Office equipment / Electrical and electronic components 
The dimensional stability, flame retardance, and heat resistance of XYRON ™ resins makes them well-suited for use as materials for cases or internal chassis bodies—such as inverter covers or printer assembly components—requiring high-precision components with extensive design freedom. The low specific gravity of XYRON ™ products helps to shrink component footprints and reduce component weight. 
Automotive components
XYRON ™ products have  successful adoptions for a variety of automotive components, including relay blocks, NiMH battery components, vehicle-mounted cameras, and inter-cell spacers and bus bar covers for electric vehicles. More recently, we have expanded our range of recommended uses for XYRON ™ resins in fuel-cell vehicles.  

Product grades

Asahi Kasei offers a wide range of lineup of XYRON ™ PPE/PS grades featuring various levels of flame retardance and heat resistance, as detailed in the table below. Different choices of filler materials, optimized as requested, also yield grades boasting various mechanical properties (including rigidity, toughness,  low warpage, and dimensional stability), conductive grades, the V-series of grades boasting excellent vibration resistance and acoustic noise reduction, and the W-series of grades specialized for water-supply applications. 

XYRON ™ alloy grades—alloys combining PPE with a wide range of crystalline resins, from general-purpose materials to super engineering plastics—combine the advantages of PPE with the features of different crystalline resins, from heat resistance to chemical resistance. Our lineup includes: PP/PPE products boasting excellent chemical resistance and low warpage; PA/PPE products boasting heat resistance, low water absorption, and oil resistance; PPS/PPE products boasting high heat resistance, minimal burring, and low warpage; and PPA/PPE products boasting high heat resistance and low water absorption. 

Click the entries in the table below for detailed information on each material grade—or click the buttons to see the features of each product series. 

Asahi Kasei also offers bare PPE resins (powders) before blending with other resins to yield compound materials. Please contact us to learn more about this option.  

Asahi Kasei is also working to achieve carbon neutrality for XYRON ™ products by developing renewable attributed PPE and recycled grades containing 15-40% post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastics. 

grade-list

Product Data/Tips for Use *Handling Precautions

XYRON™ (Modified Polyphenylene Ether Resin) Handling Precautions

<Caution>
The content of this document is based on currently available materials, information and data, and may be revised based on new findings. In addition, since the precautions are intended for normal handling, in the case of special handling, please use after implementing safety measures suitable for the application and usage.

1. Handling Precautions

Key points for handling XYRON™ are listed below. Please use it for safe handling of XYRON™. In addition, safety data sheets have been prepared separately for handling precautions for each grade of XYRON™. Please read the safety data sheet before use. Please investigate the safety of additives, etc. that your company uses other than XYRON™.

A. Notes on work
When working with XYRON™, be careful not to come in contact with or inhale pellets, molten resin, or gases generated during melting. In case of contact or inhalation, first aid measures are shown below.

  • ・If it gets into your eyes
    If it gets in your eyes, rubbing it may cause irritation or damage the cornea, so wash thoroughly with clean water for at least 15 minutes without rubbing, and if there are any abnormalities, seek medical attention.
  • ・If it adheres to the skin
    In general, wash with water or soap, and if molten material adheres, immediately cool with clean water. Do not forcibly peel off the hardened resin on the skin, and seek medical attention.
  • ・If inhaled
    Normally, there is no direct effect on the human body, but if you inhale dust, etc., gargle well with clean water. If breathing fumes from the melt makes you sick, move to fresh air and wait for recovery. If it does not recover, get medical attention.
  • ・If swallowed
    Spit it out as much as possible, and if there are any abnormalities, seek medical attention.

B. Precautions for safety and health
Please be careful to avoid contact with eyes and skin and inhalation of the gas generated when XYRON™ dries and melts. Also, avoid direct contact with hot resin. In each work of drying and melting, it is necessary to install a local exhaust system and wear protective equipment (protective glasses, protective gloves, etc.).

  • ・Equipment measures
    In the molding work, there is a risk that gas may be generated by heating and melting, so please install an effective local exhaust system etc.
  • ・Respiratory protective equipment
    Wear a mask for organic gas when working in a place where there is a possibility of inhaling generated gas or fume. Wear a dust mask when working with resin products, sanding, or other work that generates dust.
  • ・Protective glasses
    When working, wear resin safety glasses with side seals, resin goggles, etc.
  • ・Protective gloves
    Wear as needed. In particular, when handling molten resin, use gloves with good heat insulation to prevent burns.
  • ・Protective clothing
    Regular work clothes are fine, but especially when handling molten resin, wear long-sleeved clothing to prevent burns.
  • C. Precautions regarding combustion
    XYRON™ is flammable, so handle, transport and store it away from heat and sources of ignition. In case of fire, strong heat, black smoke, carbon dioxide gas, carbon monoxide gas, and other toxic gases may be generated. Fire extinguishing agents such as water, foam extinguishing agents, and powder extinguishing agents can be used as for general fires. Wear protective clothing and breathing apparatus when fighting fires.

    D. Precautions for transportation
    Avoid getting wet and rough handling to prevent the packing bag from tearing. In the unlikely event that the bag is broken and the pellets are scattered, take special care not to slip and fall, and quickly sweep up and collect or dispose of them. Take measures to prevent static electricity disasters during pneumatic transportation.

    E. Notes on storage
    Do not store XYRON™ in direct sunlight or in hot and humid places. Store away from heat and sources of ignition, and take measures to prevent static electricity disasters.

    F. Precautions for disposal
    XYRON™ can be disposed of by landfill or incineration. When landfilling, in accordance with the "Law Concerning Waste Disposal and Public Cleansing", please entrust the processing to an authorized industrial waste disposal company or local public body if it is being processed. When incinerating, use incineration equipment and comply with laws and ordinances such as the Air Pollution Control Law.

    2.Regarding conforming standards

    XYRON™ has grades that comply with self-regulatory standards for food containers and packaging made of synthetic resins such as polyolefin, Notification No. 370 of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, UL, CSA, and the Electricity Control Law. Please contact our person in charge for details.

    3.Others

    Please be aware of industrial property rights when using this product.

    The data in the catalog are representative values obtained based on prescribed test methods, and are not guaranteed values. Please refer to it as a guideline for selecting the most suitable grade for each application. These figures are subject to change for improvement of physical properties.

Please contact us to ask any questions, discuss any concerns, and request samples.

Enter PPE Description