MATERIALS | ENGINEERING THERMOPLASTICS
performance of acetal, according to company data. To demonstrate the abrasion resistance attributes of these materials, RTP Company utilises the ASTM G105: Sand Slurry Abrasion Test (as well as the ASTM G65: Dry Sand Abrasion Test). High abrasion resistance is demonstrated by low mass loss. Current applications include gears, chain/belt
Above: RTP says its ABR Compounds are an excellent material choice for chain guides, which require an extremely durable material with a high heat deflection temperature due to their proximity to motors and their exposure to heat from the engine, oils, and greases
mance outperforms other tribologically optimised high-performance thermoplastics. PESU has very high chemical resistance, inherent flame retar- dance, high rigidity and strength, as well as very high hydrolysis resistance. “The needs and requirements for durable thermoplastic material solutions in extreme environments continues to evolve,” says Nolan Krause, Business Development Manager – Wear and Friction Products, at major independent compounder RTP. “Conventional materials don’t always perform in field testing as originally planned. Parts can fail due to under-engineered materials, changing conditions, or both. Finding a material solution that can hold up to varying outside forces proves to be a daunting task for engineers. This is especially true when systems need to function amid random influence of unknown elements, such as third party abraders. Catastrophic failure to a system is common when an unwelcome third party abrader cannot be accurately predicted and managed.” RTP has developed a series of extremely durable
materials to provide solutions for these systems. “Abrasion Resistant (ABR) Compounds were developed to meet the most demanding require- ments of systems that operate in extreme environ- ments,” Krause says. “These durable compounds were formulated to withstand major temperature variations, varying speeds and pressures, third party abraders, wear and friction, and impact resistance.” ABR Compounds have abrasion resistance
comparable with ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), the impact resistance of super-tough polyamides, and the wear and friction
40 INJECTION WORLD | November/December 2020
guides, seeders, food conveyors, brush guards, plough blades, and skid plates. Removing heat from the engine is one of the critical parameters that affect the vehicle perfor- mance and service life. The most crucial parameter to consider when selecting the materials used in critical components in cooling systems is aging in the presence of ethylene glycol at temperatures between 120-140o
C, says compounder Eurotec. It
offers a wide range of PA-based materials for such applications. “Eurotec continues to work by developing high performance materials and improving the proper- ties of products in its portfolio in accordance with OEM specifications that require hydrolysis resistance at high temperatures for cooling system applica- tions,” says a company representative. Eurotec put one of its grades, Tecomid NA40 GR30 BK005 HY QH (PA66, 30% glass fibre reinforced, hydrolysis stabilised, black) through aging tests using a 50% ethylene glycol/50% water mixture at 135°C. In the test used, TL 52 682, the three-point flexural
strength value should be 25 MPa or higher after 1,000 hours. Tecomid NA40 GR30 BK005 HY QH easily passed the test, making it suitable for applica- tions such as radiator tanks and cooling pipes.
Keeping batteries safe
As hybrid and electric vehicles gain in popularity, plastics companies are putting much effort into developing new concepts for components around the battery. Batteries make EVs much heavier than traditional cars, putting an extra emphasis on lightweighting; they also require all-round protec- tion to keep them in the best condition. A key element of SABIC’s battery pack concept – which includes use not only of ETPs but also its Stamax polypropylenes – is enhanced crashworthi- ness. “Regulations are evolving in this area and are calling for improved collision protection of the battery pack. China, for example, has introduced a new set of standards in this area,” the company points out. “Conventional crash countermeasures rely on a multi-piece steel or extruded aluminium reinforce- ment to protect battery pack components. How- ever, this can add weight to a vehicle and, in turn, affect both efficiency and range. Our automotive
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IMAGE: RTP COMPANY
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