Factor® LFT

The long fiber-reinforced thermoplastics (LFT) in the Factor® product family are manufactured in a patented process in which the fibers are completely impregnated in the pellet. This ensures consistently high material quality as well as the excellent product properties of Factor® LFT: Outstanding strength and stiffness, very high impact strength as well as excellent temperature stability.

The broad Factor® LFT product portfolio comprises glass, aramid and carbon fiber-reinforced polypropylenes, polyamides as well as numerous other specialties based on other matrix and fiber materials. Long glass fiber-reinforced polypropylenes from Factor® are available with glass fiber contents of from 10 to 60 percent; Ticona delivers long glass fiber-reinforced polyamides in this brand with a glass fiber content of between 20 and 60 percent. Factor® concentrates contain 60 percent glass fibers; however additives and auxiliary materials with non-reinforced raw polypropylene mean that these can be mixed to the fiber content required for the component.

These variations in composition allow customizing of the properties of Factor® LFT to accommodate highly specialized applications – depending on customer wishes and requirements. It is particularly suitable as a long glass fiber concentrate for example for structural components like front ends or underbody panels in automobile construction. Ticona provides low-emission Factor® LFT grades specially for automobile interiors. Other modifications such as UV-stabilization, impact modification or friction/wear optimization are also possible. The high temperature stability of the material, the excellent mechanical properties, ease of processing as well as the low weight make Factor® products outstanding for replacing metals – even in the automotive industry. The numerous applications for Factor® LFT include for example in the construction of instrument panel supports, underbody panels or crash-active headrests.