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02 May 2007  -  Germany

FCI chooses Celanex® PBT for new connectors

FCI, a leading developer of connectors and interconnect systems, has chosen a hydrolysis resistant grade of Celanex polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) for its Apex 150 1.5 mm connector line. This resin, Celanex PBT 3309HR, is particularly suitable for automotive applications because it is more resistant to moisture than conventional materials and retains its dimensions at elevated temperatures.

In autos, with their extensive electronic systems, nothing would work without connectors. The main body harness, seat connections and underhood connections are only some of the typical applications. Construction, agricultural, marine and commercial vehicles also depend on reliable connectors.

“Celanex PBT helped us create a rugged, 1.50-mm terminal interconnect to provide excellent electrical performance for vehicle service lives of 150,000 miles or 15 years,” said Jeff Bruett, FCI’s purchasing manager. “These connectors were designed to withstand rough treatment during assembly and ongoing vibration in the auto environment. In addition, Celanex PBT made it possible to achieve precision down to the smallest dimensions and moisture resistance at elevated temperatures.”

Apex150 connectors were also designed to make installation easier. They come pre-assembled so only the terminated wires need to be installed. In addition, mating the connectors with standard tin terminals at the vehicle assembly plant requires about 30 percent less mating effort.

About FCI
FCI has it corporate headquarters in France and the North American headquarters of its Automotive Division in Novi, Michigan. The company has operations in 30 countries and 13,500 employees. It had global sales of 1.28 billion euros in 2005. As a leading connector manufacturer, its products are used in the auto, telecommunications, consumer electronics, data storage, energy, industrial, instrumentation and medical markets. Specific applications involve terminal systems, instrument panels and cockpits, harness sections, engine compartments, flex interconnection systems, safety restraints, ECU connectors and packages, and car multimedia systems.

About Celanex PBT
PBT is characterized by good dimensional stability and low water absorption. Celanex 3309HR has better retention of elongation at break, tensile strength and other mechanical properties than standard PBT in hot, humid environments. Testing of Celanex 3309HR under USCAR Class III exposure conditions shows 100 percent tensile strength retention and 85 percent tensile elongation retention after cycling 40 times between -40 and 125 °C. In an extended-use test, Celanex 3309HR retained 90 percent of its tensile strength after 1000 hours at 85 °C and 85 percent RH.

About Ticona and Celanese
Ticona, the technical polymers business of Celanese Corporation, produces and markets a broad range of engineering polymers and achieved sales of $ 915 million in 2006. Ticona has approximately 2.000 employees at production, compounding and research facilities in the USA, Germany and Brazil. For further information please visit our website www.ticona.com.

As a global leader in the chemicals industry, Celanese Corporation makes products essential to everyday living. Our products, found in consumer and industrial applications, are manufactured in North America, Europe and Asia. Net sales totalled $6.7 billion in 2006, with over 60% generated outside of North America. Known for operational excellence and execution of its business strategies, Celanese delivers value to customers around the globe with innovations and best-in-class technologies. Based in Dallas, Texas, the company employs approximately 8,900 employees worldwide. For more information on Celanese Corporation, please visit the company's website at www.celanese.com.

Source : Ticona