COMPOUNDS | ELECTRIC VEHICLES


Clariant targets new data connectors


Clariant Masterbatches has developed a range of colour masterbatches that comply with the new FAKRA standard for high speed automotive data connec- tors, which the company says will be introduced on European models from 2021. Named after the German industry group that developed the standard, FAKRA connectors provide 6GHz of bandwidth to handle 5G cellular/data traffic and are intended to support next generation automotive monitoring, diagnostic, safety, performance, navigation, and entertainment systems. The standard details 14 standard plug/jack combinations, each assigned with a specific colour, function and coded mating configuration.


FAKRA data connectors will


appear on European cars from 2021


others and are halogen and SVHC-free. The company can supply the new masterbatches from its production plants in Germany, China and the US. “The market for FAKRA-com- pliant coloured resins is in flux, with connector makers seeking reliable, colour-stable supplies but in relatively low quantities. Moulders are typically not yet able to commit to the large


FAKRA connectors will be pro- duced using high-temperature-resins such as PA66, PBT and PPA because they will typically be fixed to printed circuit boards (PCBs) using lead-free reflow soldering at peak temperatures of up to 260°C. The new Clariant masterbatches are formulated for with these high temperature polymers and


trend to lightweighting solutions and the shift from metal to plastic, it says it will also be necessary to meet OEM recyclability goals with polymer solu- tions that replace prime material with eco-friendly recycled grades. Celanese says that it offers new polyamide solutions that use high quality recycled PA feedstocks that provide a good balance of strength, ductility, temperature stability, processing window and good lot-to-lot consistency.


Right: The weight saving potential of this hybrid plastic-steel pillar


construction is expected to appeal to EV builders


32


Continuous growth In addition to the coloured connec- tor compounds highlighted earlier, Lanxess also aims to contribute to the EV market with its Tepex continuous fibre-reinforced thermoplastic materials. Tepex is already being used in lightweight structural compo- nents in passenger cars, with a recent example in a lightweight hybrid A-pillar developed by Porsche for use in convertible and roadster models. It is being employed for the first time in the Porsche 911 Cabriolet. The hybrid A-pillar comprises an insert


made from high-strength steel that is supported from the inside by a formed blank made from PA6-based Tepex Dynalite


COMPOUNDING WORLD | April 2020


volumes that resin makers supply, especially in the initial stages of production or for the smaller colours’ production,” says Peter Dufour, Global Segment Head and Business Devel- opment for Consumer Electronics, Electricals and Electronics at Clariant Masterbatches. � www.clariant.com


102-RG600(6)/47% sheet reinforced with a ribbed structure made from Durethan AKV30H2.0 short glass fibre reinforced PA66. The entire structure is bonded together using L-5235 structural foam developed by L&L Products. The strength and rigidity of the hybrid insert means the A-pillar meets the rollover performance


of the previous high-strength steel tubes solution with a weight saving of 5kg. As this weight


reduction is high in the vehicle structure, driving dynamics are also said to benefit. “The excellent mechanical perfor-


mance of the hybrid A-pillar demon- strates that hybrid inserts based on steel sheet, Tepex blanks, polyamide 6 or polyamide 66 variations of Durethan as a back-injection material, and on a structural foam such as L-5235 also offer consider- able potential for use in structural light- weight vehicle body design,” says Henrik Plaggenborg, head of Tepex Automotive at the Lanxess High Performance Materials (HPM) business unit. “That applies to electric vehicles in particular as their heavy batteries give them a


www.compoundingworld.com


IMAGE: CLARIANT


IMAGE: LANXESS


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68