Nylons aimed at auto market deliver performance plus

Exposure to hot oil, hot air, calcium chloride, and other aggressive automotive chemicals does not hinder the performance of a new family of nylon products from DuPont Performance Polymers (Wilmington, DE).

The family of Zytel Plus nylon grades has been launched with four products primarily targeted at the automotive market. Additional products are planned for 2010.

Whether exposed to calcium chloride or to 3000 or 4000 hours of hot air, hot oil, water, or long-life coolant, members of the Zytel Plus nylon family outperform traditional nylon products on the market today, according to recent tests. “In many cases, Zytel Plus nylon will be able to double the life of thermoplastic components exposed to hot, chemically aggressive and humid environments,” says Rob Palmer, research and development senior research associate—DuPont Performance Polymers. 

Among the new offerings is Zytel Plus 95G35 nylon, which DuPont says delivers good long-term performance at very high temperatures (up to 210˚C or even 230°C for shorter periods), superior surface appearance, and resistance to calcium chloride solutions. Zytel Plus 95G50 nylon has similar heat performance plus better stiffness and creep at high temperatures. Zytel Plus 93G35 nylon, meanwhile, boasts improved weldlines and good performance in burst tests to boot. Finally, Zytel Plus 90G30 nylon reportedly provides exceptional resistance to hot engine coolant plus excellent properties in contact with water.

Target automotive applications include charge air coolers, exhaust mufflers, turbo air ducts, engine mounts, resonators, cylinder head covers, oil pans, EGR coolers, oil modules, thermostats, transmission components (such as front covers), and radiator end tanks where calcium chloride resistance is especially important due to road treatments. “While targeted initially at the automotive market, we expect broader interest, especially where superior surface appearance, resistance to aging and/or ease of processing is desired,” says Karin Weining, global marketing director, industrial, consumer, energy–DuPont Performance Polymers.—[email protected]