Reinforced phenolic wins award for BMW intake manifoldReinforced phenolic wins award for BMW intake manifold

Phenolic composites supplier Vyncolit N.V., Gent, Belgium, snatched the 2002 Innovation Award from the AVK-TV German composites federation for its part in the development of a novel continuously-variable intake manifold for a new 8-cylinder engine for BMW’s 7 Series sedan.

The manifold was a project between BMW, system supplier Pierburg AG, in Dusseldorf, component manufacturer Baumgarten GmbH, Neunkirchen, Germany, and Vyncolit. It is injection molded in a glass-reinforced phenolic, and is said to be a key in the engine’s ability to develop greater torque than its predecessor.

Different grades of phenolic composites were used for the unit housing and rotors, one of which contains fibers, and another fibers and beads. In all, 17 parts, some containing inserts, are molded in the compounds. They are housed within a magnesium shell.