Zeotherm® TPVs Meet the Demands of High-Temperature Air Induction System RequirementsFebruary 16, 2006
With 2007 less than a year away, air induction engineers are already realizing an unexpected consequence of upcoming diesel particulate emission standards and new diesel engine designs – significantly higher temperatures on clean air induction systems.
Whereas temperatures of 125-140°C have been typical on current model diesels, the temperatures on 2007 model-year diesel trucks have been reported as high as 180°C. The higher temperatures are a result of larger turbo chargers and hotter running engines needed to make-up for the performance hits associated with implementing exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) on diesel engines.
As temperatures increase, conventional materials used for clean air intake ducts and components fail. Dual-durometer air ducts of thermoplastic olefin (TEO) and polypropylene soften at 130°C. And, copolyester (TEEE) cannot handle spike temperatures above 150°C. Engineers have been forced to utilize expensive metal ducts, high-temperature rubber, or “band-aid” heat shield solutions to address 150°C+ temperatures – until now.
Zeotherm® TPVs from Zeon Chemicals have proven they are ideally suited to meet the challenges of 2007 clean air intake ducts – without having to resort to heat shields or rubber components.
Zeotherm TPVs are high-temperature thermoplastic elastomers that combine the flexibility of thermoset rubber with the cost-effective processing of plastic. Unlike conventional TPEs, Zeotherm TPVs are based on polyacrylate rubber and nylon. The result – high heat resistance.
Vehicle testing by a US-based on-highway truck producer found ducts made of Zeotherm 130-90B were able to survive temperature excursions in excess of 180°C under a vacuum of 40” H2O. In comparison, the current duct utilizing TEO and polypropylene softened and collapsed.
Additionally, Zeotherm TPVs have superior resistance to engine oils and diesel fuel and show minimal change in stiffness (hardness) and dimensions (swelling) after prolonged hot fluid exposure.
For air induction components, Zeotherm TPVs are commonly used together with nylon. Zeotherm provides the sealability and flexibility; nylon adds rigidity and lower cost.
Zeotherm 130-90B has been commercialized for blow molded ducts and is processible using sequential, 3D, suction, parison manipulation and conventional blow molding equipment. For injection molded short isolator/connector cuffs, Zeotherm 100-70B can be spin-welded or overmolded to nylon.
About Zeon Chemicals L.P.
Zeon Chemicals L.P. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Zeon Corporation of Tokyo, Japan, a world leader in specialty elastomers, polymers and specialty chemicals. Zeon Corporation is one of the top producers of polymers in the world with plants in Asia, North America and Europe, and Research and Development laboratories in Kawasaki (Japan), Louisville (KY, USA) and Barry (UK).
Zeon Chemicals, headquartered in Louisville, is the leading producer of specialty elastomers in the USA. It produces Nipol® NBR, HyTemp® and Nipol ACM, Hydrin® ECO, Zetpol® HNBR and Zeotherm® TPVs, which are used in the manufacture of hoses, seals, gaskets, belts and other parts for automotive, industrial, oil field and printing markets. Customers are served from plants in Louisville, (KY, USA) Hattiesburg (MS, USA) and Bayport (TX, USA).
Zeon Corporation, with combined sales of over US $1.8 billion, utilizes its expertise and basic position in C4 and C5 chemistry to offer a wide range of products. The company employs approximately 2,900 people worldwide.
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