Clariant’s Nylostab™ S-EED™ HALS additive stabilizes nylon against light degradation and heat, and enhances dyeability
What is Nylostab™ S-EED™?
Clariant’s Nylostab™ S-EED™ is a multifunctional hindered amine light stabilizer (HALS) for use in polyamide (PA) 6 and PA 6.6 systems. It works through a dual-action thanks to a design based on molecular recognition. The piperidine groups, like in other HALS type products, deliver outstanding light stability, and moderate heat resistance. The amide groups alike the polyamide chains, ensure excellent solubility and compatibility in the polymer matrix. The result is a single additive covering light stabilization, heat resistance, and dyeability improvement, suitable for artificial turf, carpet, industrial fibers, and injection molding applications.
The benefits of HALS stabilizer additive Nylostab™ S-EED™
- Light stabilization: Nylostab™ S-EED™ protects PA 6 and PA 6.6 against UV rays-induced degradation. For instance, it improves performance of light fastness according to ISO 105/B02.
- Long-term heat resistance: Nylostab™ S-EED™ delivers thermo-oxidative stability in nylon during melt processing and throughout the product lifetime. This is relevant for fibers exposed to heat during high-speed spinning and for molded parts in elevated-temperature end-use environments.
- Improved dyeability: Nylostab™ S-EED™ improves dye uptake across all PA fiber types. More consistent dyeability means more uniform color in finished fiber products and better batch-to-batch reproducibility.
- Whiter base color: In PA 6 polymerization, Nylostab™ S-EED™ significantly improves the initial color of polymer chips (lower b value or YI) compared to unstabilized reference material.
- Better mechanical properties: Nylostab™ S-EED™ also improves tensile strength and elongation compared to the other systems.
- Clean processing: In the masterbatch conversion process, thanks to its resilience and inherent stability, more than 98% of Nylostab™ S-EED™ is retained after processing even at 25–30% concentration in PA-6, with no die build-up, no exudation, no foaming in the water bath, and low odor during extrusion.
- Reduced process waste: Because Nylostab™ S-EED™ does not migrate into process water during masterbatch production, there is no special need or additional step to treat or dispose of used water, reducing operational waste and costs.
What does Nylostab™ S-EED™ do in polyamide fiber applications?
Functional benefit Effect in polyamide (PA) Relevant application Light stabilization UV protection in PA 6 and PA 6.6 Apparel, outdoor fibers, artificial turf Thermo-oxidative stability Heat resistance during melt processing and end use Technical textiles, industrial fibers, artificial turf Dyeability improvement Enhanced dye uptake with acid and pre-metallized dyes Fashion, sportswear, carpet fibers Gas fading resistance Color stability during storage and use Apparel, home upholstery Processing stability in masterbatch No die build-up, no foaming, >98% additive retention Masterbatch production as intermediate for fiber manufacturing
Where Nylostab™ S-EED™ adds value in the nylon supply chain
Nylostab™ S-EED™ delivers measurable benefits at every stage of nylon processing – from masterbatch production through to the performance of the finished product in the field:
What does Nylostab™ S-EED™ do for masterbatch producers?
Nylostab™ S-EED™ improves stability during melt processing of polyamides. More than 98% of the additive is retained in the masterbatch at concentrations even at 25–30% in PA 6, with no die build-up, no exudation, no foaming in the water bath, and low odor during extrusion.
How does Nylostab™ S-EED™ benefit fiber converters?
Nylostab™ S-EED™ improves processability in nylon fiber spinning. It reduces filament breakage at higher spinning speeds and improves mechanical properties.
How does Nylostab™ S-EED™ perform during after treatment?
Nylostab™ S-EED™ improves appearance across all PA fiber types, supporting more consistent and reproducible color across production batches. It also delivers thermo-oxidative stability in nylon fibers, maintaining fiber integrity during post-treatment processes.
What end-product performance does Nylostab™ S-EED™ deliver?
In the finished product, Nylostab™ S-EED™ provides outstanding light stabilization, heat resistance, and gas fading resistance. This is particularly relevant for nylon fibers in exposed applications such as artificial turf and carpet, where UV light, heat build-up, and atmospheric pollutants all contribute to degradation over time.
Nylon applications for Nylostab™ S-EED™
Select an application to learn more.
Nylon (PA 6) was the original material for artificial turf. It offers better resilience and durability than polyolefin alternatives, making it preferred for heat generated and longstanding applications such as golf tee boxes, hockey fields and padel courts. As most polymers, nylon is sensitive to UV radiation, heat build-up, and the bleaching agents used in field maintenance. Nylostab™ S-EED™ addresses all three degradation mechanisms in a single additive:
- UV and light fastness: Nylostab™ S-EED™ improves UV protection and light fastness of PA 6 fibers, even tested against highest standards such as FIFA requirements.
- Bleaching and cleaning resistance: Artificial turf fields require regular cleaning with hypochlorite-based agents. Nylostab™ S-EED™ improves bleaching fastness in PA 6 fibers, tested according to ISO 105/N01. This helps turf maintain color stability through repeated cleaning cycles.
- Processing and masterbatch production: Nylostab™ S-EED™ is compatible with masterbatch production at concentrations as high as 25-30% in PA 6. More than 98% of the additive is retained in the masterbatch after processing – with no die build-up, no exudation, no foaming in the water bath, and low odor during extrusion. This also reduces process water contamination, minimizing disposal requirements.
Nylon carpet fibers (PA-6 and PA-6.6) must maintain color and appearance over years of use, light exposure, and repeated cleaning. Dyeability consistency, light fastness and quality resilience are the primary performance requirements for carpet producers:
- Dyeability in PA carpet fibers: Nylostab™ S-EED™ improves dye uptake across all PA fiber types. More consistent dyeability means more uniform color across a production run and better color reproducibility between batches – relevant for large-scale carpet manufacturing where color matching is critical.
- UV and light fastness: Nylostab™ S-EED™ improves UV and light fastness in PA 6 fibers, for instance tested according to ISO 105/B02. Even in a red fiber system, challenging for color retention, at a low dosage, treated fibers showed significantly higher light fastness ratings compared to untreated samples.
- Light stability and resilience for long-term appearance: The additive protects nylon carpet fibers against UV-induced color fading and surface degradation. This is particularly relevant for carpet in high traffic commercial environments and exposed interiors.
Industrial nylon fibers require high mechanical performance and stable processing at elevated spinning speeds. Tensile strength, elongation, and resistance to heat during spinning are the key technical requirements.
- Mechanical property improvement: In polyamide systems, Nylostab™ S-EED™ improves tensile strength and elongation compared to the unstabilized reference. This supports the production of high-tenacity fibers for demanding technical end applications.
- Processing stability at high spinning speeds: Nylostab™ S-EED™ reduces filament breakage at higher spinning speeds, improving process efficiency and reducing production waste. It also contributes to thermo-oxidative stability during melt processing, helping maintain fiber quality across the production run.
- Durability against environmental stresses: Nylostab™ S-EED™ boosts the quality and resilience of nylon fibers and supports the exposure to intense UV radiation, salted water or other environmental challenges.
Nylon injection molded parts – used in automotive, electrical, and industrial applications – require color stability, heat resistance, and maintained mechanical properties throughout their service life:
- Color strength in PA 6 molded parts: In nylon compounds, addition of Nylostab™ S-EED™ allows polymer appearance and initial color enhancement compared to the reference. It also contributes to pigment color development, bringing a higher sense of product quality.
- Excellent surface appearance of molded parts: Even in glass fibers filled nylon parts, Nylostab™ S-EED™ helps to achieve superior surface quality, with a deeper color appearance.
- Heat and thermo-oxidative stability: Nylostab™ S-EED™ protects nylons against thermo-oxidative degradation during the injection molding process and in end-use. This is relevant for parts exposed to higher temperatures in automotive cosmetic parts or electrical connector applications.
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