High-Performance Plastics Reduce Vehicle Weight by Replacing Metal Components under the Hood
WILMINGTON, Del.—A new family of engineering resins recently launched by DuPont is reported to significantly extend the performance life of automotive under-the-hood components, enabling further replacement of metals with high-performance plastics that can reduce the weight of vehicles. In pre-launch trials, DuPont™ Zytel® PLUS nylon was reported to demonstrate improvements of 30-40 degrees Celsius (54-72 degrees Fahrenheit) in heat performance and to maintain performance levels “much longer than traditional nylons,” according to DuPont.
The new product family is the result of what the company calls “several research and development breakthroughs.” For example, the product’s long-term performance under exposure to heat and chemicals is a result of DuPont™ SHIELD Technology, which reportedly combines innovations that include a new polymer backbone, polymer modifications, and proprietary additives that enhance performance characteristics. Although initial grades are targeted primarily to the automotive industry, additional product grades are planned for 2010 for other applications in multiple markets, the company says.
“Performance demands in the automotive industry continue to increase as automakers strive to deliver higher performance and improved fuel efficiency, resulting in smaller, hotter-running engines,” said Diane H. Gulyas, president, DuPont Performance Polymers, in a statement released by the company. “With the launch of Zytel® PLUS, DuPont is delivering market-driven innovation that enables plastic components to reliably perform twice as long in that environment, reducing weight and supporting the push for sustainable mobility. Higher durability of components also helps automakers achieve their goals of improved vehicle reliability, better quality, and improved warranty performance.”
The energy efficiency resulting from the new resins supports DuPont’s focus on reducing dependency on fossil fuels, according to the company (www.dupont.com).
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