Polyamide scores in yet another turbo application

The latest resin to benefit from of an auto industry-wide shift to increased adoption of turbochargers is a high-heat polyamide (PA) developed by Rhodia Engineering Plastics (Lyon, France), a member of the Solvay group. The Technyl PA grade has been chosen by molder Röchling Automotive for the manufacturing of turbocharger air ducts which have to resist temperatures of up to 210°C.

PA scores once again in turbo application.

Since 2007, teams from Rhodia Engineering Plastics and Röchling Automotive (Mannheim, Germany) have been working together to develop new solutions to meet the increasingly demanding specifications of automobile OEMs. Fabrizio Chini, Advanced Project Manager at Röchling Automotive explains: "With a full understanding of our needs and a close and efficient collaboration, Rhodia was able to develop a high-performance material that meets all the stringent technical requirements for air duct system parts, which also allows us to apply our patented and exclusive JectBonding processing and joining technology." JectBonding is said to be the first technology that combines blowmolding, injection molding. and joining in one continuous manufacturing process

The PA 66 blowmolding material—Technyl B2 (grade name: A 548B2 V15 )—is the designated product for turbo systems and has been used by Röchling Automotive for over a year. "Thanks to Röchling Automotive, our polyamide is already utilized in more than 300,000 automobiles, which fully confirms customer benefits and positions Rhodia's Technyl range as a benchmark for turbo air duct systems," says Nicolas Batailley, business development manager, Rhodia Engineering Plastics.

For several years now the automobile industry faces the growing need for smaller yet high-performing turbocharged engines. To meet the increasing material challenges this imposes, Rhodia Engineering Plastics is developing next generation Technyl blowmolding grades to meet even higher underhood operating temperatures.