PET EXCELS IN AUTOMOTIVE BRAKE BOOSTER VALVE APPLICATIONS

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PET EXCELS IN AUTOMOTIVE BRAKE BOOSTER VALVE APPLICATIONS
23 March 2004 - DSM Engineering Plastics

DSM Engineering Plastics has more than 10 years experience in brake booster valve applications, working in partnership with leading European automakers to develop materials that meet the requirements of some of the world’s most demanding applications.

Arnite polyethylene terephthalate (PET), from DSM Engineering Plastics, leads in European Automotive brake booster valve body applications. DSM Engineering Plastics has now set its sights on the US and Asian markets, where designers, like their European counterparts, are moving away from thermoset alternatives in search of higher performance, more cost effective alternatives.

Arnite dominates in this application, replacing alternative thermoset resins through its exceptional dimensional stability, high strength, and performance at under-bonnet temperatures of up to 130C.

Arnite has also been proven to maintain its high performance profile for more than 1 million cycles, an important reliability requirement.

Power brake booster valve bodies demand long-term functionality both for driver comfort and for safety. When a driver presses the brake pedal, the valve body (located inside the engine compartment, typically mounted on the firewall) forces air into one side of the brake booster diaphragm. The diaphragm then moves, helping to push a rod attached to the brake master cylinder, amplifying the driver’s foot pressure. With the foot off the brake, the valve closes and engine vacuum fills both sides of the diaphragm.

Since brake booster valve bodies are mounted under the bonnet, they are subject to wide temperature fluctuations, as well as exposure to a variety of fluids and gases. In operation, the valve bodies must maintain close-tolerance dimensional stability over a long time, resist wear, and retain a highly finished surface. As a safety-related component, the valve bodies demand high performance over long periods of time.

Formerly manufactured from thermoset materials, thermoplastic brake booster valve bodies offer a much better performance to weight balance, greater cost effectiveness, as well as improved design freedom over Thermosets.

Arnite PET provides benchmark performance with fewer post-moulding operations, while at the same time offering significant weight reductions.

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About: DSM Engineering Plastics
DSM Engineering Plastics is a business group forming part of DSM's Performance Materials cluster. DSM EP is a global supplier of Stanyl PA46 and Akulon 6 and 66 polyamides, Arnitel TPE-E, Arnite PBT and PET polyesters, Xantar polycarbonate, Yparex extrudable adhesive resins, and Stamylan UH Ultra High Molecular Weight PE. These materials are used in technical components for electrical appliances, electronic equipment and cars, in barrier packaging films as well as in many mechanical and extrusion applications. The business group had annual sales of EUR 566 million in 2003. With Stanyl, it is the global market leader in high heat polyamides.

Stanyl is a family of heat-resistant polyamides from DSM Engineering Plastics. Stanyl’s high crystallinity (70% versus 50% for conventional PA66) results in high heat distortion temperatures of 190C for unreinforced grades, up to 290C for reinforced. Stanyl grades are used in automotive clutch plates, charge air coolers, chain tensioners; electrical components including motor frames and end laminates, circuit breakers, controls and connectors; and home and power tool components, including heat shields and heat-resistant utensils.

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