Luran速 S ASA
Acrylonitrile\Styrene\Acrylate Copolymer
Extrusion grades, performance comparisons and applications
Can you find the highly weatherable parts made of Luran® S ASA?
(hint: they take to color beautifully)
Luran S ASA resists fading and discoloring even in severe, outdoor use. It also resists heat, salts, fuels and detergents. Beyond that, it’s tough, lightweight and provides enhanced color stability, maintaining its gloss and color throughout years of exposure. Luran S ASA is made by BASF, the worldwide plastics supplier renowned for exceptional product quality and responsive service. That includes accelerated color matching time and prompt delivery.
If your application demands a performance plastic that stands up to the rigors of the environment and looks great doing it, look to Luran S ASA. For more information, samples or to have a sales representative call, please contact us at 1-800-BC-RESIN. We also invite you to visit our website at www.basf.com/plastics. Smart Fax/Automated Data System 1-800-TOPFAX-1 (734-283-8373 outside the US.)
We don’t make your products. We help make them better.TM BASF Plastics Technology BASF Corporation Plastic Materials
Luran® S ASA makes your products better Luran S ASA versatility
Broad range of grades
Luran S ASA is the BASF trade name for styrene acrylonitrile copolymers impact modified with an acrylic ester elastomer. The Luran S ASA family of resins is a durable, thermally stable, chemically resistant and colorfast thermoplastic suitable for demanding, long-term outdoor use. In addition to being moldable and extrudable, Luran S ASA resins can be co-extruded or laminated as a capstock to substrates like ABS and PVC. In these systems, the Luran S ASA provides excellent surface quality, while the low-cost substrate provides the bulk of the physical properties. Luran S ASA can also be adhered or laminated to wood panel board, polyurethanes and expanded polystyrene to produce composite structures that improve color, gloss, insulation value, rigidity and part-to-part consistency.
In Europe, BASF has built market leadership over 30 years by manufacturing a variety of Luran S ASA grades to meet the requirements of the building and construction, telecommunications, marine, electrical and automotive markets. In the NAFTA region, BASF aims for market leadership by the introduction of the largest styrenic copolymer plant in the Americas capable of producing Terluran® ABS, Luran® SAN, and Luran S ASA. Both the European and North American plants produce the same series of World Grades. Table 1 lists the name, description and key physical properties for the Luran S ASA family of extrusion-grade resins.
Available in a wide range of colors BASF produces natural Luran S ASA as a whitish, translucent pellet or as pre-colored resin. Extrusion grades can be colored by masterbatch or by in-line color. Colors may be selected from the BASF library, which contains thousands of pre-matched colors. Concentrate for custom colors can be produced by BASF approved color houses.
Ease of processing Drying pellets for 2 to 4 hours at about 180˚F before processing eliminates moisture, which can cause streaks and blisters. Processing temperatures for extrusion vary depending on extruder type and screw design. Standard practice is to choose conditions similar to those used for processing ABS, which usually range between 410˚F and 450˚F. Vented extruders are favored with screws of 25 to 30 D length and compression ratios of 2:1 to 4:1.
Table 1: Description and physical properties of Luran S ASA extrusion grades
Tensile Modulus (psi)
Flexural Modulus (psi)
HDT 264/66 psi (°F)
Multiaxial Impact 73/-40°F (ft-lb)
Notched Izod 73/-40°F (ft-lb/in)
Gloss* Index at 60˚F (%)
Grade
Description
778 TE UV
Extrusion grade offering high heat, best stiffness, good gloss and medium impact properties.
298750
332100
203
20 4
2 0.7
70-90+
797 SE UV
Extrusion grade used as monolayer or as capstock for ABS. Best combination of impact strength, gloss and weatherability
265350
226200
180
19 5
5.2 1.1
50-80+
776 SE UV
Moderate-gloss extrusion grade used as capstock for ABS. Good impact and weatherability
239250
240700
181
22 5
4.9 1.0
<40
All property measurements are from 1/8!!thick sheet. Notched Izod values reported transverse to flow. *These are expected gloss values only. Actual gloss on extruded and thermoformed sheet will depend on processing conditions, polishing rolls, embossing patterns and thermoforming processes.
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Luran® S ASA _ durable, colorfast thermoplastic Many thermoplastics with excellent initial appearance and physical properties will discolor, embrittle and degrade over time outdoors. Luran S ASA resists discoloration and embrittlement from prolonged exposure to sunlight, heat, rain and common chemicals, making it an ideal material for demanding outdoor applications requiring long-term performance.
Not only is Luran S ASA more durable than ABS, it is also much more durable than UV-stabilized ABS (UV-ABS). In outdoor tests, Luran S ASA retains over 85% of initial impact resistance at room temperature after 3 years. Both ABS and UV-ABS are severely attacked by sunlight and become brittle in less than 3 weeks.
Table 2 lists typical conditions for several field locations that are used to quantify the durability of materials outdoors. Arizona conditions are hot, dry and sunny. These are the harshest conditions for thermoplastics. Florida provides a sunny, humid environment and is the second-most harsh environment for plastics. The Ohio environment is typical of a midwestern state and exposes plastics to moderate sunlight and humidity and higher levels of industrial pollutants. Germany has an environment most similar to the Pacific Northwest _ fewer sunny days and more rain. Table 2: Weathering conditions
Location Arizona Florida Ohio Germany
Total Yearly Hours Sunlight
UV Radiation (290-400 nm) MJ/m2/year
Average Days of Rain
4500 3000 2000 1900
334 280 200 150
32 115 52 150
Both Luran S ASA and ABS thermoplastics have styrene acrylonitrile (SAN) matrices; however, Luran S ASA is a much more durable product. The Luran S ASA matrix is impact modified with an acrylate elastomer that imparts excellent resistance to discoloration and degradation from ultraviolet (UV) sunlight, atmospheric oxygen and heat from processing. On the other hand, butadiene rubbers, used to make ABS, are susceptible to attack by UV light, heat and chemicals, causing yellowing and embrittlement.
Figure 1b: Luran S ASA retains its impact properties very well when exposed to outdoor weathering conditions, as shown in this graph through an accelerated weathering test, in comparison to both UV-stabilized and nonstabilized ABS.
In addition to excellent retention of impact properties after exposure outdoors at room temperature, Luran S ASA retains excellent physical properties over a wide temperature range.
Figure 1c: Luran S ASA offers excellent impact properties over a wide range of temperatures even after 4 years of weathering in Arizona field weathering study.
Figure 1a: Comparison of black Luran S ASA and ABS color retention in Florida field weathering study. ABS discolors within months outdoors, whereas Luran S ASA retains color very well over the same time period. Measurements with 45˚/0˚ spectrophotometer.
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Luran® S ASA _ for great performance outdoors While white PVC resists yellowing and discoloration outdoors fairly well, colored PVC shifts color much more than Luran S ASA. Furthermore, as color darkens, the performance gap between PVC and Luran S ASA widens. Capping PVC with Luran S ASA improves the retention of all colors outdoors in all climates.
Luran S ASA also beats the long-term performance of UV-stabilized polypropylene (UV-PP) in color retention and surface quality.
y
Figure 2: Luran S ASA retains color better than colored PVC in Ohio field weathering study. Measurements with 45˚/0˚ spectrophotometer.
Figure 5: Field studies in Germany show that white Luran S ASA 797 SE UV window profiles resist discoloration better than UV-PP. In addition to discoloration, after 4 years the UV-PP shows surface pitting. At 8 years, the UV-PP surface is severely cracked. Luran S ASA did not pit or crack in the test.
Even in difficult colors like light blue, Luran S ASA parts retain color well in climates encountered across North America.
Figure 3: Field color retention study of light blue Luran S ASA in Arizona (dry, sunny), Florida (wet, sunny) and Ohio (industrial). Measurements with 45˚/0˚ spectrophotometer.
Figure 6: Luran S ASA is used in many construction applications around the house such as window frames, garage doors, door panels and trims.
Figure 4: Luran S ASA is used in door panels and trim because of its excellent resistance to color fade, dimensional stability and impact resistance. 3
LuranÂŽ S ASA replaces paints and coatings Year after year, in a wide range of climates, Luran S ASA resists the damaging effects of solar radiation, oxidation, heat and chemicals that cause chalking, pitting and discoloration. Luran S ASA can be molded, extruded or formed into final part in one step, eliminating secondary processes associated with painting like priming/surface preparation, drying, color application and clear coating, improving overall cycle time and producing superior parts.
In the event that Luran S ASA surfaces are damaged, scuffs and minor scratches can be removed and near-original surface luster can be restored by washing with soap and water and polishing with mild buffing agents. Additionally, yearly application of many common protectants and polishes restores Luran S ASA gloss levels.
Producing parts from Luran S ASA eliminates environmental and regulatory issues from VOC emissions associated with both paints and coatings.
Figure 8a: Washing parts with soap and water and polishing with mild buffing agents reduce color shift due to sunlight exposure. Measurements with d/8 spectrophotometer. Test method SAE J-1960.
Figure 7a: Comparison of color retention of yellow Luran S ASA to enamel paint and gel coat. Luran S ASA retains color better than these traditional surfaces. Measurements with d/8 spectrophotometer. Test method SAE J-1960. Every 1250 kJ/m2 simulates approximately 1 year of weathering.
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As Molded
Figure 8b: Luran S ASA retains a glossy surface finish for several years but some loss of gloss may occur over time . Application of some common protectants or wax polishes can be applied to prevent loss of surface gloss and may also help in restoring surface gloss when loss has occurred during outdoor exposure.
Figure 7b: Comparison of gloss retention of yellow Luran S ASA to enamel paint and gel coat. Luran S ASA retains gloss much better than gel coat and tracks the performance of enamel paint. Test method SAE J-1960.
Luran S ASA surfaces protect substrate plastics and metals better than paints and many coatings. Scuffs and marring often go unnoticed on Luran S ASA parts because they rarely penetrate through the Luran S ASA layer to the substrate. Similar damage on painted parts often exposes the unprotected substrate and results in unsightly discoloration. Textured Luran S ASA also offers high quality, mid-to-low gloss surfaces that are especially forgiving to scratches and gouges. 4
Figure 9: Luran S ASA replaces painted plastics in automotive components like cowl vent grilles, mirror shell housings and hard tops. Luran S ASA retains color, gloss and physical properties after years outdoors and exposure to heat up to 200Ë&#x161;F.
Luran速 S ASA used as a weatherable capstock for ABS Luran S ASA caps ABS
Luran S ASA compatibility with ABS
Capping nonweatherable substrates with Luran S ASA by coextrusion or lamination provides an economical alternative to Luran S ASA monolayer sheet. The Luran S ASA cap protects the substrate from the damaging effects of sunlight. The substrate provides the bulk of the physical properties for the sheet.
In addition to the ability of Luran S ASA to be coextruded with, laminated onto or back molded with other thermoplastics, Luran S ASA trim can be recycled into the substrate plastic better than other capstocks. Luran S ASA is extremely compatible with all ABS resins.
Figure 10a: Luran S ASA 797 SE UV cap provides the best combination of processability, color retention and impact for coextrusion on ABS. Luran S ASA processes well over all major ABS resins. Values generated from 1/8" coextruded sheet. Cap approximately 20% of sheet thickness.
Figure 11: Up to 30 wt% Luran S ASA trim can be recycled into the substrate without loss of impact properties at room temperature. The impact of properties at low temperatures are slightly lower than ABS because Luran S ASA has a higher glass transition temperature than ABS. Other weatherable caps, like PMMA, are not as compatible. Impact notably decreases at room temperature and severely decreases at low temperatures.
Luran S ASA is used in many successful applications including: camper tops, swimming pool steps, SUV running boards, boat decks and hulls, golf carts, surf boards, RV body panels and outdoor equipment covers. They all testify to the outstanding outdoor performance of Luran S ASA coextrusions.
Figure 10b: Comparison of notch sensitivity for Luran S ASA 797 SE UV coextruded on various ABS resins. Values generated from 1/8" coextruded sheet. Cap approximately 20% of sheet thickness.
Figure 12: Luran S ASA is used on the exterior panels of a golf cart. The panels are manufactured from coextruded sheet with Luran S ASA as a cap layer to protect the ABS substrate.
Figure 13: Lightweight roof-rack carrier consists of a cover and a tray. Both parts are formed from a coextruded sheet that has a weather-resistant cap layer of Luran S ASA and a base layer of impact-resistant Terluran速 ABS.
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Luran® S ASA used as a weatherable capstock for PVC Luran S ASA caps PVC Luran S ASA can be capped over ABS or PVC in many applications around the home. Typical uses include window frames, door frames, siding, wall panels, garage door panels, fences, rails, and soffits. Luran S ASA is a very versatile material because it offers processors and end users a cost-effective use in high performance outdoor applications when combined with PVC as a substrate. Systems with Luran S ASA as a capstock onto PVC provide long-term color fade resistance as one of the key benefits to the final structure. Luran S ASA processes well on ordinary PVC equipment in thin capstock applications at high throughput rates. It offers different surface gloss levels in a wide range of light, medium and dark colors with good-to-excellent impact performance. Luran S ASA systems with PVC also offer processors the advantage of being able to reuse the regrind back into the substrate while maintaining the high performance of the bi-layer system. In studies, it has been shown that up to 10 wt% of Luran S ASA can be recycled with PVC without significant loss of impact properties of the system.
Figure 14: Effect of Luran S ASA trim in PVC. Luran S ASA is compatible with PVC below 10 wt%.
Figure 15: Dark blue Luran S ASA weathered in Germany (similar environment to North West Pacific) shows excellent color-fade resistance even after 4 years of continuous outdoor exposure. This particular dark blue initially shifts into the blue direction and stays on the blue side over a 4-year exposure period and shows virtually no yellowing. Color measurements with CIELAB d/8 spectrophotometer. 6
Figure 16: Dark brown Luran S ASA weathered in Germany (similar environment to NorthWest Pacific) shows excellent color-fade resistance even after 4 years of continuous outdoor exposure. This particular dark brown shows very little shift in either colormetric measurement direction, thereby visually retaining its original look. Color measurements with CIELAB d/8 spectrophotometer.
Figure 17: Siding panels of Luran S ASA over PVC have very similar impact performance to vinyl siding panels in both rough and smooth embossed patterns for a wide variety of colors and panel thicknesses.
Figure 18: Luran S ASA outperforms PVC in blue vinyl siding in a great variety of extreme outdoor environments such as found in Florida, Arizona, North Carolina and Ohio. Measurements with 45˚/0˚ spectrophotometer.
Luran速 S ASA is compatible with a wide range of substrates Luran S ASA can be adhered to a wide range of substrates like wood panels, expanded polystyrene (EPS) and polyurethane (PUR) foams and elastomers. Luran S ASA sheet adhered to wood panels replaces paints, coatings, phenolic papers and films. Luran S ASA will not chip, flake or degrade when exposed to moisture as do phenolic papers. Luran S ASA has better color retention than many paints and coatings. Scratches will not cause the delamination experienced by many films.
Luran S ASA sheet laminated to EPS board creates a system that replaces painted aluminum laminated to phenolic/paper honeycomb board in sunroom exterior walls. The system does not dent, flake or corrode and provides superior insulation to the weather. The Luran S ASA surface can be embossed with a wide range of patterns.
Another advantage of Luran S ASA adhered to wood is that Luran S ASA sheet hides imperfections within the wood panel. Painting, coating or laminating films require a much higher quality panel to achieve a smooth, blemish-free surface. Luran S ASA/PUR foam replaces gel-coated fiberglass in boat hulls, thereby eliminating styrene emissions. It provides part-to-part consistency not associated with hand-laid fiberglass structures. The structure provides added safety, and because its density is less than water it inherently floats. Luran S ASA skin is completely recyclable and can be cleaned and buffed just like gel coats to maintain a high gloss-surface. Figure 21: Luran S ASA capped over steel-reinforced tubing replaces painted metal rail.
Figure 19: Luran S ASA and PUR foam structures are widely used in composite boat hulls. Luran S ASA provides a superior surface skin to gel-coated fiberglass hulls, and the PUR foam provides excellent structure, rigidity and dimensional stability.
Luran S ASA composites have replaced fiberglass structures for satellite antennas and other traditional materials in protective housings for electronics. Besides being lightweight and easy to mount, Luran S ASA components are tough, resilient and do not corrode or distort when subjected to temperature variations.
Figure 20: Luran S ASA composite structure formed into a protective cover for satellite electronics.
Figure 22: Luran S ASA sunroom wall panels replace traditional structures, improving appearance and insulation properties.
Figure 23: Luran S ASA/EPS composite structure for a sailboard. 7
Luran® S ASA resists a wide range of chemicals Luran S ASA has excellent long-term resistance to many chemicals common to outdoor applications, including water, saltwater, detergent solutions, fruit juices, motor oils and waxes.
Table 3: Chemical resistance Chemicals
Examples
Resistance
Aqueous salt solutions
Calcium chloride, copper sulfate, sodium chloride Borax Diesel and motor oils Lanolin, bleached wax Acetic acid, citric acid, hydrochloric acid, ammonia
Excellent resistance (no swelling, solvation or environmental stress cracking)
Alcohols
Ethanol, propanol, butanol
Aliphatic hydrocarbons
Gasoline, pentane
Oils & fats
Lemon oil
Strong/concentrated acids
Nitric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid
Limited resistance (some swelling, solvation or environmental stress cracking)
Strong/concentrated bases
Sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide
Aromatic hydrocarbons
Benzene, xylene, toluene
Esters, ethers, ketones
Acetone, ether, methyl ethyl ketone
Halogenated hydrocarbons
Dichlorobenzene, chloroform
Strong oxidizing agents
Nitric acid, ozone (concentrated), hydrogen peroxide and other peroxides, chlorine, fluorine
Detergent solutions Motor oils Waxes Weak/dilute acids & bases
Figure 24: For pool steps, sheet made of Luran S ASA offers a combination of weather resistance, color stability, toughness and chemical resistance. Steps formed from Luran S ASA sheet do not develop surface chalking and are resistant to swimming pool chemicals. Furthermore, the sheet can be easily formed into large, one-piece, lightweight shapes.
Strongly attacked (severe swelling, solvation or environmental stress cracking)
Luran S ASA stacks up to other thermoplastics Luran S ASA provides an excellent balance of aesthetics, processability and compatibility with other thermoplastics and substrates compared with paints, coatings, films and other weatherable thermoplastic systems. The Luran S ASA family includes resins for extrusion and molding; resins for low, medium and high gloss applications; good all-round chemical resistance and excellent resistance to heat aging at elevated temperatures. Additionally, Luran S ASA retains initial physical properties after long-term exposure to UV radiation, heat and chemicals better than thermoplastics like polypropylene (PP), PVC, ABS and PC blends. Luran S ASA has better processability, impact resistance, heat deflection temperature and compatibility with ABS and PVC substrates when compared with a wide variety of acrylics. In comparison with fluropolymer films like PVDF and PVF, Luran S ASA also provides much better economics, good color retention, choice of gloss, recyclability and ease of thermoforming.
Table 4: Comparison of Luran S ASA to other thermoplastics Luran S ASA
PP
PVC
ABS
Gloss Control Initial Long-term Scratch Resistance Dimensional Stability Heat Resistance 150˚ F 200˚ F Initial Impact RT -20˚ F Weathered, RT (white) (colors)
Cost/Outdoor Performance
• Outstanding
Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor
Figure 25: Luran S ASA is used in outdoor furniture for its cosmetic appearance and impact resistance. Luran S ASA retains its functional performance over many years even when exposed to extreme outdoor environments. 8
PC IM PVDF Blend PMMA & PVF
Important: While the descriptions, designs, data and information contained herein are presented in good faith and are believed to be accurate, they are provided for your guidance only. Because many factors may affect processing or application/use, we recommend that you make tests to determine the suitability of a product for your particular purpose prior to use. NO WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE MADE REGARDING PRODUCTS DESCRIBED OR DESIGNS, DATA OR INFORMATION SET FORTH, OR THAT THE PRODUCTS, DESIGNS, DATA OR INFORMATION MAY BE USED WITHOUT INFRINGING THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OF OTHERS. IN NO CASE SHALL THE DESCRIPTIONS, INFORMATION, DATA OR DESIGNS PROVIDED BE CONSIDERED A PART OF OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE. Further, you expressly understand and agree that the descriptions, designs, data and information furnished by BASF hereunder are provided gratis and BASF assumes no obligation or liability for the description, designs, data and information given or results obtained, all such being given and accepted at your risk.
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