DuPont Performance Materials (DPM) and filter specialist IBS Filtran plan to demonstrate a new oil pan made of glass-fiber-reinforced material at the K plastics show.
The oil pan is being used in Daimler’s nine-speed automatic transmission.
The NAG3 (new automatic transmission) uses a thermoplastic polymer from DuPont’s Zytel nylon resin portfolio (Zytel 70G35 HSLRA4) for the multifunctional lower shell. Replacing metal with Zytel reduces cost by saving on weight (1.3kg versus a metal oil pan), the companies say.
‘We have had a strong relationship with DuPont for many years which invites the type of collaboration necessary to create revolutionary transmission systems addressing regulatory and consumer trends,’ said Wolfgang Stausberg, CTO, IBS Filtran. With DuPont’s help, we developed an oil pan which links the need for core design and reduced manufacturing and assembly costs with energy efficiency.’
The two plastic oil filters are integrated into the oil pan housing to meet the demanding specifications given the restricted installation space. The use of these types of thermoplastic polymers creates an opportunity for further functional integration of the oil pan with the rest of the transmission. The Zytel grade reportedly has low warpage, easy processing and laser weldability along with improved balance of stiffness and toughness over a range of temperature.
This story is reprinted from material from DuPont, with editorial changes made by Materials Today. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of Elsevier.
