P84, the ultimate solution in hot-gas filtration

In 1984, for the first time ever, it was possible to spin fibres from the high-performance plastic polyimide. This innovation was embedded by Evonik in the brand name P84® which has stood for high-temperature-resistant fibres for demanding industrial applications ever since. The speciality chemicals company recently celebrated the anniversary at Techtextil in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

“P84 is an excellent high temperature filtration polymer, which is able to attract customers in new markets even 35 years after its introduction,” says Jean-Marc Chassagne, the managing director of Evonik Fibres GmbH. “Over the years, we have consistently established the polyamide fibre chemistry made in Austria to a worldwide quality standard in various applications.”

Due to decades of experience in polymer design, Evonik has now developed a new generation of fibres which fulfill the increased demand of the industry. The new product convinces by its improved mechanical stability at permanent operating temperature. Evonik will be commercializing the new fibre soon.

The high tech fibre of Evonik has a unique multi-lobal cross section which ensures the highest level of filtration efficiency. Because of its excellent physical and chemical properties, P84® high performance fibres are used in a variety of applications. The spectrum reaches from filter materials for high temperature filtration, protective clothing, sealing applications for spacecraft to a number of other high temperature applications, e.g. insulating panels for thermal insulation.

In high temperature filtration processes filter materials made of P84® fibres maintain a higher permeability at constant pressure drop through the entire life cycle.  This leads to lower dust emissions and minimized energy costs.

“For example, more than 150 cement kiln applications are using P84® based filter materials. The energy saving of these optimized filters reduce the CO2 emissions by approximately 60,000 metric tons per year,” says Dr. Stefano Santorsola, the business director for P84® fibres at Evonik.