Two engineering thermoplastics from NexPoint Materials – LEXAN™ BPL1000 and CYCOLOY™ C2950 resins – have achieved the highest rating in the UL 2597 Surface Tracking Test (STT) for high-voltage applications, at 900 V. These results, demonstrating resistance to surface tracking under high-voltage conditions, provide valuable performance data for engineers evaluating insulating materials for high-voltage applications across transportation, electrical and electronics, and other demanding applications, including electric vehicle (EV) systems, faster-charging architectures, connectors and battery systems.
Surface tracking occurs when electrical discharges on the surface of an insulating material progressively create a conductive path, causing carbonization and damage that can potentially compromise electrical insulation effectiveness. Surface tracking resistance is an important consideration when designing high-voltage electrical systems.
“As EV battery voltage levels increase beyond the standard 400 volts, engineers need greater confidence in the performance of insulating materials under more-demanding electrical conditions,” said Dinesh Munjurulimana, Electrification leader, Technology, NexPoint Materials. “The UL 2597 test results achieved by LEXAN BPL1000 and CYCOLOY C2950 resins can help guide engineers in choosing materials for high-voltage designs. With this data, combined with our application development expertise, we can empower customers seeking the right balance of electrical, thermal, mechanical and flame-retardant properties for next-generation mobility and electrification applications.”
UL’s standardized 2597 Surface Tracking Test methodology evaluates insulating materials intended for transportation applications at voltages from 600 V to 900 V. These test results provide additional performance data for engineers designing high-voltage systems where surface tracking resistance is an important consideration.
NexPoint’s high-voltage materials extend beyond LEXAN and CYCOLOY resins. Flame-retardant VALOX™ resins are available in grades with a high comparative tracking index (CTI), along with others designed for high service temperatures. For example, the VALOX resin portfolio includes grades with relative thermal index (RTI) capabilities reaching 140 °C.
The need for high-voltage, high-heat capabilities extends beyond transportation. Miniaturization is an important design consideration in electrical connectors for AI data centers, where constrained server racks need to accommodate significantly more fiber-optic lines while supporting high-speed data transmission. High-CTI materials can help engineers reduce creepage distances while maintaining safety margins to guard against electrical failures. NexPoint’s portfolio of high-CTI resins is designed to help data center engineers address these requirements with more compact connectors.
Flame-retardant LEXAN, CYCOLOY and VALOX resins collectively provide a range of material options for high-voltage connectors, EV fast-charging systems, and power distribution and energy storage applications. NexPoint supports these materials with deep expertise and application development resources that can help customers design safer, more compact and higher-performing electrical systems.