An Asian automaker changed the traditional material for controlling engine intake and exhaust oil control valves, instead using carbon fiber reinforced composites instead of aluminum.
This type of valve made of high-performance thermoplastic material (depending on the size of the engine, each vehicle is equipped with about 2-8 valves) greatly reduces the manufacturing cost and weight of the car, and improves the response speed of the engine.
From September 5th to 7th, 2018, Miami will host the American Society of Plastics Engineers Automotive Composites Conference (SPE ACCE for short), which will show people a new resin called "Sumiploy CS5530", which is made by Japan Produced by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. of Tokyo, and the company is responsible for sales in the North American market.
Sumiploy resin has a unique formula, which is made by adding chopped carbon fibers and additives to polyethersulfone (PES) resin produced by Sumitomo Corporation, which can greatly improve the abrasion resistance and dimensional stability of the material. The composite is said to have excellent heat resistance, good dimensional stability and long-term creep resistance over a wide temperature range, good impact strength, and resistance to aromatic compounds such as gasoline, ethanol and engine oil. A series of excellent properties such as chemical resistance, inherent flame resistance and high environmental stress crack resistance (ESCR). Unlike many other high temperature resistant thermoplastics, Sumiploy CS5530 has high fluidity, which makes it easier to mold high precision 3D geometries.
In practical applications of control valves, Sumiploy CS5530 composite materials must meet the engineering requirements of ultra-high dimensional accuracy (10.7 mm ± 50 mm or 0.5%), thermal stability from -40 ° C to 150 ° C, low coefficient of friction, Chemical resistance, excellent fatigue strength and creep resistance. The replacement of aluminum materials with thermoplastic composite materials not only reduces the production cost of automobiles, but also greatly improves the performance and lightweight standards of automobile engines. Since its commissioning in 2015, the part has been used commercially. As a thermoplastic material, it can also be recycled through melt reprocessing.
In addition to automotive applications, Sumiploy resins are also suitable for electrical / electronic and aerospace components to replace machined steel or aluminum materials, as well as other high-performance thermoplastic materials such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyaryletherketone ( PAEK) and polyetherimide (PEI). Although these applications are not the focus of our attention, Sumiploy resin reduces friction with mating surfaces in a minimally wetted environment.At the same time, with the integration of high-precision injection molded parts, it also enhances material functionality and reduces production cost. Sumiploy resin is ideal for replacing metals in applications such as petroleum control valve pistons, solenoid valve pistons, HVAC blades and pistons, as well as industrial gears, non-lubricated bushings and bearings.