Xenia has introduced ST Upgrade, an impact-toughening option for its fibre-reinforced thermoplastic materials. The company states that this modification targets applications where standard grades reach their limits. In controlled comparisons with the original formulations, ST Upgrade delivers an average 60 percent increase in impact resistance, maintaining dependable performance at room and low temperatures. In addition, it improves flexibility and elastic response, with elongation at break rising by an average of 40 percent versus non-upgraded materials.
The performance focus addresses markets where lightweight structures must also absorb energy without brittle failure. Examples highlighted by the company range from aerospace and motorsport components, where low mass and stiffness are critical, to consumer goods that require structural reliability. Targeted examples include ski boots and bindings, mountain boots, hockey skates, and shoe soles and plates.
ST Upgrade is not a standalone grade but a selectable option across defined Xenia formulations. It can be applied to carbon fibre, glass fibre, and hybrid reinforced thermoplastic composites, as well as to sustainable variants based on recycled carbon fibre and recycled polymers.
Within the current portfolio, Xenia reports availability of ST-upgraded carbon and glass fibre-reinforced materials based on polyamide chemistries including PA6, PA66, PA11, PA12, PA6.12, PA4.10, PA6.10, and PA10.10. The company also indicates that the upgrade can be implemented on any polymer base and reinforcement it processes.
Formulation families and polymer bases
- Xecarb, carbon fibre reinforced thermoplastic composites
- Xeglass, glass fibre reinforced thermoplastic composites
- Xebrid, thermoplastic composites combining carbon and glass fibre reinforcement
- Xegreen, thermoplastic composites combining recycled carbon fibre and recycled polymers
Supported polyamide bases with ST Upgrade
PA6, PA66, PA11, PA12, PA6.12, PA4.10, PA6.10, PA10.10
