Bollate, Italy, October 16, 2018 — Solvay, the world's leading supplier of specialty polymers, launched the first batch of Ryton® polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) extrusion grades as a test for mature Ryton® The supplement of PPS injection molding materials can be used together for the demanding automotive coolant pipeline assembly products.
The new Ryton® PPS extrusion series is available in three sizes globally: Ryton® XE3500BL, Ryton® XE4500BL and Ryton® XE5500BL. The rigidity of these grades is between 1500MPa (218ksi) and 2500MPa (363ksi), which is used to meet the requirements of flexible pipe for different wall thickness and diameter, or the processing needs of thermoforming after extrusion. Solvay's new extruded polymer-based flexible coolant lines perform better in melt strength, chemical resistance and thermal stability, as well as tensile elongation and impact strength.
Solvay's injection molding grades include Ryton® XE5430BL (30% glass filled) and Ryton® R-4-270BL (40% glass filled). These materials have proven to be suitable for a variety of existing connector and bracket accessories, enabling automotive OEM manufacturers to design integrated coolant line assemblies that are fully coordinated with the engine and transmission.
"The high temperature in the hood continues to challenge the limits of existing coolant lines and material solutions, and the safety factor is constantly under pressure," said Andreas Lutz, European regional development manager for Solvay Specialty Polymers Global Business Unit. As they continue to shrink, high-temperature components such as turbochargers, superchargers, automatic transmissions, air conditioners, and exhaust gas recirculation systems are also becoming more common. All these components are crowded into ever-decreasing engines. 'Emerging temperatures that can exceed the capabilities of traditional metal / rubber and polyamide design components.'
Since the coolant circuit is one of the components designed to match the engine compartment in the final stage, its material must not only provide design freedom to achieve more complex wiring, but also must have better heat and chemical resistance. To ensure safe operation without additional weight (for example without the need for additional heat shields).
Solvay's Ryton® PPS extrusion technology can help OEM manufacturers adopt connectors, overmolded brackets and welded brackets made with Ryton® PPS injection grades. These smooth, lightweight, integrated solutions replace the complicated and Expensive powertrain fluid handling circuits.
Some major automotive OEMs in Europe have developed integrated lightweight Ryton® PPS solutions, while other OEMs are studying their use in various coolant, engine and power transmission oil processing systems to seek Replace existing composite (metal / rubber) and polyamide (PA) designs. "The more complex the fluid handling circuit, the more significant Ryton® PPS will be in terms of weight reduction and simplified manufacturing and assembly costs," Lutz added.
In addition to polymer expertise, Solvay also provides comprehensive innovation and technical support services for the recently expanded application development center in Borate, Italy, to help automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers make the most of Ryton® PPS's Potential to maximize benefits.