PLASTICS IN AUTOMOBILES
Companies spotlight new applications
One of the main applications driving the growth of engineering plastics is the automotive sector. At recent industry events, leading polymer manufacturers have spotlighted new products for this dynamic market.
BASF : Air inlet manifolds of PA 6
Global production of inlet manifolds made of polyamide reached 18m in 2001, according to BASF (D-67056 Ludwigshafen; www.basf.com). Around 40% of these were produced using fusible-core technology and 60% by the multi-shell process. BASF predicts that market penetration of plastic inlet systems in Europe will reach 85% by 2005. Levels in NAFTA and Japan are expected to be somewhat lower, but growth rates there significantly higher.
BASF´s “Ultramid HP” (high performance) is a new PA 6 reinforced with 30% glass fibre said to provide “an ideal way of meeting the increasing demands of the automobile industry for versatile materials to be used in engine components.” Reader Service: BASF press release, Polyamide air inlet systems – the success story continues: PIE-No. 45636.
Bayer: New polyester for connectors
“Pocan” KU 2-7111, a new hydrolysis-resistant grade of PBT specifically for connectors used in automotive production was developed by Bayer (D-51368 Leverkusen; www.bayer.com) in cooperation with the Nuremberg-based subsidiary of FCI Automotive (www.fciautomotive.com), a leading international manufacturer of connectors. The new product, designed to be used among other things in passive restraint systems, is able to satisfy the extreme demands placed on the aging resistance of such components, says Bayer. It adds that using the new material will help car makers reduce costs by eliminating the need for expensive, highly heat-resistant specialty polymers especially for airbags. In airbags and belt tensioning systems, these connectors link the ignition unit to the control system and power supply. Reader Service: Bayer press release on “Pocan” KU 2-7111: PIE-No. 45637.
Dow: New automotive applications for polymers
Dow Plastics (Europe: CH-8810 Horgen) has introduced a new PU foaming technology for use in the production of a variety of foam moulded vehicle seats that the group says look and feel like leather. The one-step process uses an elastomer skin over the foam, replacing such traditional materials as leather or upholstery, while the foam performs its own traditional function of providing comfort and durability. According to Dow, the technology also can be used to produce office furniture and stadium seats.
The new “Mini” launched by BMW last autumn incorporates instrument panels and door trim developed in cooperation with Dow Automotive (www.dow.com/automotive) and made of PC and ABS supported by a cross-car beam of magnesium. The glove box uses a high crystalline polypropylene. For the door trim, Dow chose a rib structure design, in combination with a foam piece to manage the impact energy. The complete door module, including the PP trim was produced by British moulder Intier Magna Interior (www.intier.com) using the extrusion low pressure moulding process. Reader Service: Dow press release on the new Mini: PIE-No. 45638.
Dow´s syndiotactic polystyrene (SPS) “Questra” is being used in the new BMW 7 series for the housing of a new advanced electronics box manufactured by Tyco Electronics Corp. (www.tycoelectronics.com) for the car´s high-performance engine compartment. Reader Service: Dow press release “Questra delivers for BMW”: PIE-No. 45639.
DuPont: High-performance PA for motorcycles
Italian motorcycle manufacturer Piaggio is using DuPont´s (Wilmington, Delaware / USA; www.dupont.com) new “Zytel” HTN high-performance polyamide for the covers of its liquid coolant Low Emission Advanced Engine (LEADER) family. Reader Service: DuPont press release on Zytel HTN, with photo: PIE-No. 45640.
“Delrin” 300AT and “Delrin” 300AS are two new anti-static polyacetals (POM) made by DuPont for use in automotive fuel systems. The products are used to replace standard polyacetals in components that would otherwise degrade rapidly under mechanical, chemical and thermal stress. Reader Service: DuPont press release on new engineering polymers for fuel systems: PIE-No. 45641.
BASF : Air inlet manifolds of PA 6
Global production of inlet manifolds made of polyamide reached 18m in 2001, according to BASF (D-67056 Ludwigshafen; www.basf.com). Around 40% of these were produced using fusible-core technology and 60% by the multi-shell process. BASF predicts that market penetration of plastic inlet systems in Europe will reach 85% by 2005. Levels in NAFTA and Japan are expected to be somewhat lower, but growth rates there significantly higher.
BASF´s “Ultramid HP” (high performance) is a new PA 6 reinforced with 30% glass fibre said to provide “an ideal way of meeting the increasing demands of the automobile industry for versatile materials to be used in engine components.” Reader Service: BASF press release, Polyamide air inlet systems – the success story continues: PIE-No. 45636.
Bayer: New polyester for connectors
“Pocan” KU 2-7111, a new hydrolysis-resistant grade of PBT specifically for connectors used in automotive production was developed by Bayer (D-51368 Leverkusen; www.bayer.com) in cooperation with the Nuremberg-based subsidiary of FCI Automotive (www.fciautomotive.com), a leading international manufacturer of connectors. The new product, designed to be used among other things in passive restraint systems, is able to satisfy the extreme demands placed on the aging resistance of such components, says Bayer. It adds that using the new material will help car makers reduce costs by eliminating the need for expensive, highly heat-resistant specialty polymers especially for airbags. In airbags and belt tensioning systems, these connectors link the ignition unit to the control system and power supply. Reader Service: Bayer press release on “Pocan” KU 2-7111: PIE-No. 45637.
Dow: New automotive applications for polymers
Dow Plastics (Europe: CH-8810 Horgen) has introduced a new PU foaming technology for use in the production of a variety of foam moulded vehicle seats that the group says look and feel like leather. The one-step process uses an elastomer skin over the foam, replacing such traditional materials as leather or upholstery, while the foam performs its own traditional function of providing comfort and durability. According to Dow, the technology also can be used to produce office furniture and stadium seats.
The new “Mini” launched by BMW last autumn incorporates instrument panels and door trim developed in cooperation with Dow Automotive (www.dow.com/automotive) and made of PC and ABS supported by a cross-car beam of magnesium. The glove box uses a high crystalline polypropylene. For the door trim, Dow chose a rib structure design, in combination with a foam piece to manage the impact energy. The complete door module, including the PP trim was produced by British moulder Intier Magna Interior (www.intier.com) using the extrusion low pressure moulding process. Reader Service: Dow press release on the new Mini: PIE-No. 45638.
Dow´s syndiotactic polystyrene (SPS) “Questra” is being used in the new BMW 7 series for the housing of a new advanced electronics box manufactured by Tyco Electronics Corp. (www.tycoelectronics.com) for the car´s high-performance engine compartment. Reader Service: Dow press release “Questra delivers for BMW”: PIE-No. 45639.
DuPont: High-performance PA for motorcycles
Italian motorcycle manufacturer Piaggio is using DuPont´s (Wilmington, Delaware / USA; www.dupont.com) new “Zytel” HTN high-performance polyamide for the covers of its liquid coolant Low Emission Advanced Engine (LEADER) family. Reader Service: DuPont press release on Zytel HTN, with photo: PIE-No. 45640.
“Delrin” 300AT and “Delrin” 300AS are two new anti-static polyacetals (POM) made by DuPont for use in automotive fuel systems. The products are used to replace standard polyacetals in components that would otherwise degrade rapidly under mechanical, chemical and thermal stress. Reader Service: DuPont press release on new engineering polymers for fuel systems: PIE-No. 45641.
04.04.2002 Plasteurope.com [16120]
Published on 04.04.2002