Powertrain and Chassis

The materials that come to mind when thinking about powertrain and chassis components are steel and aluminum. Yet the requirements of this most demanding market segment can be met by many of Ticona’s engineering plastics that can

• decrease weight
• enable part count reduction
• eliminate secondary machining operations
• dampen out vibration
• withstand the temperature and chemical environment

Fortron® polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) is a superior choice when it comes to high temperature and aggressive chemicals. Used in applications such as transmission, brake and cooling system components, Fortron PPS resists oils, glycol, acidic solutions and the various additives that these fluids contain. It provides excellent mechanical properties, meets tight tolerances as molded, and resists creep and deformation under load.

The impressive combination of stiffness and toughness offered by Ticona’s long-fiber reinforced thermoplastics (LFRT) recommends them for applications where durability is key. Celstran® LFRT grades based on nylon and polypropylene are excellent candidates for a variety of spacers, carriers, instrument panel structural members and the like. The ability of these LFRT grades to be molded, essentially warp-free, makes them a good choice for engineers who want fast part commercialization unimpeded by the need to spend time tuning mold design and processing parameters.

Ticona’s comprehensive selection of engineering resins can facilitate parts consolidation and eliminate a variety of secondary machining operations typically experienced when designing with metals. One additional benefit is obviously the absence of corrosion that would be seen with metal.  

The bottom line: use of these products will help designers achieve lighter vehicles, freedom from corrosion, lower production costs and better overall performance from powertrain and chassis systems.