CHANCES AND LIMITATIONS OF HIGH-PERFORMANCE POLYMERS

High Performance Polymers. especially when inherently flame retardant, are of potential interest for electrotechnical and electronic applications and are systematically investigated. In the course of R&D work on these materials - in spite of a number of properties of high interest - some deficiencies were found as, for example, predominantly poor metal adhesion. Further, in individual cases they possess poor stress cracking resistance, limited thermal stability and/or only medium hydrolytic stability. Moreover the industrial application of HPP is hindered by higher prices and nonavailability in larger quantities. In case of no success in current efforts (tailor made blends, surface modification) these deficiencies might contribute to a certain decline of HP polymers as already observed in a few cases.