TAGS: Automotive High Heat Materials Part Design & Manufacturing
LANXESS offers a number of PBT compounds that successfully reconcile not only high hydrolysis stability in hot and humid conditions but also good laser transparency for laser transmission welding. One example is Pocan B3233HRLT 904040 (hydrolysis-resistant, laser transparency), which is already used in a range of large-series applications and can be employed to manufacture, for example, housings for mechatronic actuators for swirl control.
An automotive manufacturer based in the south of Germany is equipping several of its diesel engine series with these actuators. The actuators are developed and manufactured by Sogefi Air & Cooling SAS in Orbey, France. The company is part of Sogefi S.p.A., an Italian corporate group that is among the providers of filter systems, flexible chassis components and air intake and engine cooling systems for vehicles.
Temperature-resistance and Dimensional Stability
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Our PBT compound has been chosen because it withstands the high temperatures under the hood in a car, even in very humid conditions,” says Jean-Marie Olivé, an application development expert in High Performance Materials (HPM) business unit at LANXESS. “
Our material is also characterized by its low warpage and high dimensional stability, properties that make it ideal for the complex geometries of these compact housings.” And even when the material is dyed black, it still offers a high level of transparency in the wavelength range of lasers usually employed for laser transmission welding of plastics. “
This ensures stable and efficient welding of the housing components,” says Olivé.
The outstanding resistance of Pocan B3233HRLT to hot and humid environments is demonstrated in the SAE/USCAR-2 Rev. 6 long-term test, which is conducted in accordance with a standard set by the American Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and considered to be among the world’s most demanding tests of the hydrolysis stability of plastics. A finished part is exposed to strong temperature changes at relative humidity of up to 100% over numerous cycles. Olivé:
“In specimen tests conducted in similar conditions, our compound fulfills the requirements of Class 3 and so can withstand temperatures up to 125 °C.”
Laser Transmission Weldable Parts
In the case of the actuator, the laser-transparent part is made from Pocan B3233HRLT with laser-transparent black coloring, while the absorbing housing half is made from Pocan B3233HR.
Swirl control actuators are part of the air management systems in combustion engines. They are responsible for controlling the air supply to the intake module and, at the same time, ensuring sufficient air turbulence. They help to optimize combustion processes and so play a key role in ensuring that the engine is highly efficient, which is ultimately reflected in high fuel economy and correspondingly low consumption figures.
Source: LANXESS
