High Performance Polymers for Small Engine Applications 2013-32-9012

High performance polymers (HPPs) consist of a group of materials that perform in more demanding applications than more commonly known plastic materials. These materials have been used to replace metals in the automotive industry in a number of applications. HPP's offer specific strengths in line with cast metals and offer some benefits in certain chemical environments over metals. The use of these materials in fuels has a long history and continues to expand as the capabilities become better understood, HPP's are of particular interest in areas where alcohol is present in fuel mixtures and causes corrosion on metals. HPP's have also been developed to serve as a low cost solutions to fuel permeation in fuel tanks by using two or three layer blow molded constructions. Ethylene glycol, oils, and other automotive fluids also have little effect on the mechanical properties of HPP's. Higher temperature capable HPP's (up to 300° C) exhibit outstanding friction and wear performance, used in applications like seal rings, thrust washers, bushings, valve caps, and possibly piston rings. HPP's can also be used to reduce potential NVH issues like knocking by replacing metal-polymer bushings with a full polymer solution.