TAGS: Automotive High Heat Materials Electrical & Electronics
LANXESS’ Durethan® BTC965FM30, a thermally conductive Polyamide 6 is being used for cooling element of the charge controller for the electric sports car.
Preventing Thermal Damage
Thermally conductive plastics have great potential for use in thermal management of charging systems for electric vehicles. The controller contains a cooling element that dissipates the heat generated in the plug contacts of the controller when charging the batteries.
The cooling element is made of the thermally conductive and electrically insulating polyamide 6 Durethan
® BTC965FM30 from
LANXESS. “
As well as preventing the charge controller from overheating, our structural material meets the strict requirements for flame-retardant properties, tracking resistance and design,” explains Dr. Bernhard Helbich, technical key account manager at LANXESS.
Heat Dissipation with Special Mineral Particles
A current with an amperage of up to 48 amps flows through the plug contacts in the charge controller of the sports car, causing significant generation of heat during charging. “
Our polyamide is filled with special mineral heat-conducting particles that conduct this heat efficiently away from the source,” says Helbich.
These particles give the compound a high thermal conductivity of 2.5 W/m∙K in the direction of melt flow (in plane) and 1.3 W/m∙K perpendicular to it (through plane).
In addition, the halogen-free flame-retardant polyamide 6 material ensures that the cooling element is highly fire-resistant. As required, it passes the UL 94 flammability test of the US testing institute Underwriters Laboratories Inc. with the best classification, V-0 (0.75 millimeters).
Its high tracking resistance also contributes to greater safety. Helbich adds, “T
he tracking resistance gives designers greater freedom in engineering the component, as they can arrange electrical assemblies even more compactly without having to worry about short circuits and device defects caused by creepage currents.” Consequently, along with guides and ribs, the cooling element is equipped with six closely spaced cavities to house the plug contacts.
Good Flowability
Despite the high content of thermally conductive filler (68 percent by weight), the polyamide 6 has good flowability. “I
n terms of its processing characteristics, the material is similar to highly reinforced types of polyamide 6 that have a glass fiber content of up to 60 percent by weight,” explains Helbich.
The heat-conductive thermoplastic also has potential for use in electric vehicle battery components such as plugs, heat sinks, heat exchangers and mounting plates for power electronics.”
Explore LANXESS' High-Heat Durethan® Polymer Range
Source: LANXESS
