LARAMID K/40 NAT compound by LATI, glass fiber reinforced polyamide for technical applications with high mechanical and thermal resistance
High temperatures, Industry, R&D
High temperatures, Industry, R&Dbyadmin

High-performance Materials for Precision Mechanisms

Lightness, robustness, and rigidity are fundamental requirements for any industrial mechanism, especially when the device operates at high speed and with high precision.
In these contexts, fatigue resistance also becomes essential to prevent failures due to repeated stress over time.

These needs are common in numerous industrial sectors: automation, robotics, machine tools, and textile frames. In these applications, mechanical performance must be reconciled with the need to reduce weight, costs, and production complexity.

From Metals to Technopolymers: a Necessary Evolution

Traditionally, the structural elements of these systems are made of steel, aluminum or magnesium alloys, or thermosetting composites reinforced with glass or carbon fiber.
These solutions, however, have significant limitations:

  • Long and expensive production processes, such as machining from solid or casting;

  • Complex geometries difficult to achieve;

  • Lack of design flexibility and difficulty in integrating multiple functions into a single component.

To overcome these limitations, LATI has developed a family of high-performance thermoplastic compounds capable of combining metallic rigidity and polymeric lightness.

LATI HM Compounds: High Performance, Reduced Weight

Introduced in 2007, the LATI HM (High Modulus) compounds represent an innovative solution for high-performance structural applications.
These materials are loaded with high modulus carbon fibers up to 45%, achieving an elastic modulus exceeding 40 GPa — more than double compared to common grades reinforced with glass or high tenacity carbon fiber.

Thanks to these properties, HM compounds allow the production of injection molded components with rigidity comparable to metals, offering advantages in terms of:

  • Operational precision of levers and mechanisms,

  • Weight and inertia reduction,

  • Lower energy consumption for actuation,

  • Reduced friction and wear,

  • Possibility to eliminate external lubrication.

The lightness of the polymer also reduces inertia forces and internal stresses, improving fatigue life and stability over time.

High Performance Even in Critical Environments

HM compounds are formulated from high-performance thermoplastic resins such as PPA, PPS, and PEEK, selected to ensure thermal and chemical resistance even in extreme operating conditions.
They are ideal, for example, for:

  • Painting robots,

  • High-temperature industrial plants,

  • Textile machines exposed to oils, vapors, and aggressive agents.

The substantial presence of carbon fibers also imparts antistatic properties, reducing the accumulation of dust and particulates on operational surfaces.

Innovation and Reliability by LATI

With the LATI HM family, the company offers designers a range of technical compounds capable of efficiently and safely replacing metal, expanding design possibilities and optimizing production processes.
A concrete step forward towards a lighter, more efficient, and sustainable industry, without compromising on mechanical performance.

Want to know more? Contact us here!