Recent Case Studies of Engineering Thermosets for Under the Hood Applications

Frank Bayerl; Sigrid ter Heide; Cedric A. Ball

doi:10.4271/2013-01-1392

The automotive industry is looking for options to reduce weight and increase engine efficiency to comply with new CO₂ emission and fuel economy regulations. Increasingly, automakers are examining their use of materials for even the smallest components. Engineering thermosets are an effective lightweighting alternative to heavier conventional steel and aluminum die cast products. They combine outstanding temperature stability, long-term mechanical strength, dimensional stability and high chemical resistance.

This paper focuses on two recent projects where (BAKELITE™) phenolic-based engineering thermosets have successfully replaced traditional metals in automotive under-the-hood applications and outperformed engineering thermoplastics also considered for the applications. First, a water pump housing made with engineering thermoset material is shown to have good chemical resistance to coolants without additional corrosion protection and to maintain its mechanical properties. Second, a vacuum pump made with engineering thermoset material has lower overall weight, higher dimensional stability and better fatigue properties than a similar design made from die-cast aluminum.

Finally, the paper describes the recycling options for engineering thermoset materials.

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Recent Case Studies of Engineering Thermosets for Under the Hood Applications 2013-01-1392

SAE MOBILUS