UNDER THE HOOD | AUTOMOTIVE


PA 66 30% glass fibre reinforced products are used in applications such as radiator end tanks and cooling pipes, for example, due to their high hydrolysis resistance. Eurotec adds that it continues to enhance the properties of products in its portfolio with high performance materials in accordance with OEM specifications that require hydrolysis resistance at high temperatures for cooling system applications. To analyse the hydrolysis performance of its products, the company collaborates with a German independent testing body that carries out hydrolysis resistance tests for many OEMs.


Ethylene glycol is used as a cooling medium for


heat removal in applications such as radiator end tanks, cooling pipes, oil filters, throttle caps and expansion tanks. The most crucial parameter to consider when selecting the materials used in these critical components is ageing in the presence of ethylene glycol at temperatures of 120-140°C. Along with hydrolysis resistance, there are certain other OEM specifications where thermal ageing performance is critical for applications requiring resistance to high temperatures such as 150-170°C. Eurotec says that it can offer products specifically formulated for engine component applications that are exposed to high heat and oil resistance throughout their life. For electric vehicles, the temperature gap in the


battery pack should be kept to a minimum while driving, in particular for the cooling system. An electric motor is driven from control units powered by the battery. Maintaining the battery temperature within the defined minimum-maximum operating temperature range is one of the most critical points regarding battery lifetime. Therefore, efficient operation of an appropriate cooling system is essential for electric vehicles. The company adds that the design of complex components featured in cooling systems necessitate the use of water- or gas-assisted injection moulding, as well as conven- tional processes. The advantages of water-assisted injection (WIT) systems, such as reduced cycle times and wall thicknesses, as well as improved surface quality, provide ease of design even for thin-walled parts. Eurotec adds that for use in battery cooling


systems, it has developed a material compatible with WIT systems, which withstands a temperature of 130°C and has improved hydrolysis and glycol resistance. Tecomid NB60 KG30 BK005 HV 0B is a PA6, 30% glass fibre/glass bead reinforced, heat stabilised, black compound, which the company says is ideal for cooling pipe applications due to its good surface quality and dimensional stability. It


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has passed both 120°C hydraulic oil tests required in OEM material specifications and the leakage, burst, cold impact and pressure pulse tests conducted on the final component. Teknor Apex Company has introduced three halogen-free FR glass-reinforced PA compounds with UL-94 ratings of V-0, which provide high flow for injection moulding, good surface finish and improved property retention in comparison with standard glass-filled FR PA 66. Creamid grades A3H7G3, C3H2G4, and C3H2G6 are PA 66-based compounds with glass loadings of 15, 20 and 30%, respectively. Their non-halogen flame retardant formulations make possible compliance with European RoHS and WEEE directives as well as internal OEM requirements. Applications include under-the-hood automotive components requiring FR properties. “Teknor Apex has drawn on semi-aromatic polyamide chemistry to enhance the ability of these compounds to retain tensile properties and stiffness upon exposure to moisture,” says Mike Anderson, Commercial Director for the ETP Division. “The A3H7G3 product is currently in use for an automo- tive engine cover, having met an OEM specification for property retention after heat ageing at 170°C.” For the 20% glass-reinforced C3H2G4 grade, a comparison between dry-as-moulded and condi- tioned properties shows notched Izod impact strength increasing from 7 to 10 KJ/m2


; tensile


strength decreasing from 125 to 85 MPa; elongation at break increasing from 3.0 to 3.4%; and tensile modulus decreasing from 8,300 to 5,500 MPa. “The new Creamid compounds enable engi- neers to meet increasingly stringent requirements for halogen-free FR formulations while finding new ways to consolidate parts,” says Pratik Shah, Director of strategic initiatives. “Included are


Above: Eurotec says it is enhancing its PA materials in line with OEM specifications that require hydrolysis resistance at high temperatures


May 2021 | INJECTION WORLD 29


IMAGE: EUROTEC


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