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POLYMERS IN AUTOMOTIVE FUEL CONTAINMENT
25 March 2006 - Rapra Technology Limited
| The first two papers outlined the difficult environment for fuel systems, with Ralf Grünbaum of Volkswagen describing the legal, environmental and customer requirements for fuel systems. The main influences on the Passat fuel system were described as mechanical wear, system temperatures, refuel ability, electrical discharge, ventilation, fuel supply, pressure, safety, environmental legislation (affecting emissions) and fuel composition. Current plastics used were HDPE, PA and POM, which of course raises the issues of joining different materials. Intertek Caleb Brett followed up with an outline of global variations in fuel composition. |
The Second Rapra International Conference on Polymers in Automotive Fuel Containment generated a lot of discussion and questions amongst delegates. The first two papers outlined the difficult environment for fuel systems, with Ralf Grünbaum of Volkswagen describing the legal, environmental and customer requirements for fuel systems. The main influences on the Passat fuel system were described as mechanical wear, system temperatures, refuel ability, electrical discharge, ventilation, fuel supply, pressure, safety, environmental legislation (affecting emissions) and fuel composition. Current plastics used were HDPE, PA and POM, which of course raises the issues of joining different materials. Intertek Caleb Brett followed up with an outline of global variations in fuel composition. ITT Industries has worked on new materials for fuel lines to raise permeability levels and high temperature resistance. Materials being tested include polyamide 12, PBT and the fluoroplastics ETFE and PVDF. Phil Spencer of Asahi Glass also described the combination of ETFE and polyamide 12 in fuel lines. Dow Corning presented new fluorosilicones for hose. DuPont gave a paper on new peroxide-cured fluoroelastomers. Polykemi introduced a new nylon nanocomposite for injection/blow moulding fuel tanks, with the advantage of single material for recyclability. Matrix Polymers described a new rotational moulding technology to meet new legislation on fuel permeation. Professor Mallick from the University of Michigan-Dearborn described tensile and creep behaviour of a blow-moulded multilayered fuel tank. Jim Doty of Solvay Advanced Polymers talked about innovative plastics for fuel systems to meet the increasing demands. For example, conductive polymers to dissipate static and new grades to overcome the increased fuel permeability caused by increasing levels of alcohol. Amodel PPA, a high performance polyamide, was shown to have good barrier properties to toluene, ethanol and isooctane. Didier Houssier of EVAL Europe covered EVOH resins for fuel tanks. Dr Wannek from IWV-3 described automotive fuel cells, www.h2cars.de lists the prototype cars to date. The issues to tackle include costs, materials, hydrogen supply and performance. Hydrogen storage is a key issue - liquefaction involves temperatures of -253o C and pressures of 10,000 psi. Greg Banyay of Ohio University described the potential use of polymer foams in hydrogen storage systems. Testing is critical for fuel systems. Dr Ho of the BHR Group described fuel system leakage software to predict Dr Nickie Smith of MERL covered testing methods for fuel permeation rates. Diffusion-polymers.com described fuel permeation in a composite tank.
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Rapra Technology is Europe’s leading independent plastics and rubber consultancy. Rapra provides comprehensive consultancy, technology and information services for the polymer industry and industries using plastics and rubber in any component, product or production process.
Company Statistics: Formerly the Rubber and Plastics Research Association (RAPRA)
Established 1919
5,000 clients worldwide per annum
2,000 technical projects each year
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2 sites in the UK
130 staff Working for industry. Rapra provides specialist plastics and rubber technical, information and commercial services for the polymer industry and end-user industries including the automotive, construction, electrical, medical, offshore, packaging and polyurethane sectors. Rapra has a unique mix of on-site expertise and facilities enabling the application of an integrated approach to problem solving. Its capabilities lie in the skills and experience of its people, many of whom are recognised as leading experts in their field. Clients can commission individual services,specialist consultancy or participate in multi-client research projects, funded by EC and UK government and/or industry, to progress research and development of polymer technology and applications. Testing, analysis and calibration services. Rapra’s physical testing, analytical and chemical laboratories are UKAS accredited to provide UKAS certification and test to a range of national and international standards. Numerous physical tests assess material properties such as abrasion, fatigue, impact and stress and their performance in products in particular conditions. Rapra’s analytical and chemical laboratories undertake materials identification and characterisation etc. using a range of advanced chromatographic, spectroscopic and thermal techniques. Information services. Rapra’s technical facilities are complemented by an extensive polymer Information Centre. The Polymer Library is the world’s most comprehensive plastics and rubber information database in the public domain. Available either in hardcopy, on CD-ROM or via the internet, it contains over 850,000 references which are updated every two weeks. Rapra produces a range of publications including Journals, Industrial Analysis Reports, Review Reports and global Directories, detailed in a Publications Catalogue. Technology services. Rapra’s plastics and rubber technical services can prevent, identify or solve problems and improve on or ensure continuing quality. Supported by comprehensive testing, analysis and information facilities, technologists can tackle most polymer related projects. Whilst details of specialist services are available, the following represents Rapra’s core technical expertise: Materials selection & application support
Product design & development
Manufacturing process development
Prototyping & small scale production
Engineering & tooling
Fault & failure diagnosis
Testing & Analysis
Conferences
Rapra brings together leading academics and industrialists in an annual programme of national and international conferences. Renowned for their quality coverage of polymer topics, Rapra conferences are of interest to polymer processors and industry-wide users. Technology Training Courses
Rapra runs an extensive programme of short technology-based training courses covering materials, product design, processing techniques and environmental considerations. Recognised by the Institute of Materials Continuing Professional Development scheme, they aim to enhance in-house skills, help in identifying problems and to recognise potential opportunities. |
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