Engineering Plastics in the Course of Powertrain Transformation – New Challenges and Material Solutions

Authors

Dr. T. Arping, Dr. A. Tuchlenski, Lanxess Deutschland GmbH, Dormagen:

Year

2021

Print Info

Production/Publication ÖVK

Summary

Polyamide 6 and 66 (PA6 and PA66), as well as polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), are established as engineering materials in the world of classic combustion engines. Compared to alternative materials, system solutions based on these engineering plastics offer advantages such as weight reduction, cost-efficient processing methods, and great design freedom for functional integration. For example, complex system components such as air intake manifolds with integrated intercoolers or oil pans with integrated filter systems can be produced most economically using plastics such as PA6 or PA66. PBT offers advantages when used in electrical components close to the engine such as connectors or as a housing material for electronic control units or sensors. The increasing electrification of the powertrain leads to new applications for engineering plastics such as the battery system, the electric engine, and the charging system. These components place additional requirements on the plastic materials to be used, for example with regard to fire safety, thermal and electrical properties, or the use of signal colors. The further development of engineering plastics plays a central role in meeting these new, complex requirement profiles. The presentation will first highlight the success story of PA6 and PA66 in the classic powertrain using various examples. This is followed by a look at the components of electrified powertrains of today and the future. Possibilities of new material solutions will be demonstrated by means of innovative application examples around the battery system.

Number of pages

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