Lanxess reports that its new range of reinforced plastics is being used for a modular flange for a drive used in car interior ventilation systems.
The recently launched polyamide 6 Durethan BTC 75 H3.0 EF is reinforced with a 75% mineral content, and replaces a polyamide with a glass fiber/mineral mix for thermal conductivity.
‘Compared to conceivable alternative materials, our compound conducts heat better and is the most cost-effective solution,’ claimed Stefan Theiler, an expert in highly filled polyamides at Lanxess. ‘It performs best in terms of mechanical properties, resistance to thermal aging and flowability and, thanks to its electrically neutral stabilization, helps prevent contact corrosion. ‘
Robert Bosch GmbH is using the flange made with the material in a fan module that is being incorporated into the cooling system fitted inside the passenger compartment. The modular flange has been designed to conduct the operating heat generated in the motor winding and the electronics of the fan module to the outside. This helps to protect the fan module from thermal overload. At 1.4 W/mK, thermal conductivity is around five times higher than that of standard polyamide 6 with 30% glass fiber reinforcement. It is at a similarly high level to that of polyamides that use aluminum oxide as a thermally conductive mineral and, in terms of through plane, is comparable to that of boron nitride-filled polyamides, Lanxess says.
Theiler believes that the new polyamide is particularly well suited for use in the housing parts of electronic systems, which tend to be prone to failure due to the heat generated during operation. ‘For instance, we are thinking of lids for control housings, covers for small motors and LED components such as cooling elements.’
This story uses material from Lanxess, with editorial changes made by Materials Today. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of Elsevier.
