Zytel庐 nylon used for first polymer oil pan module

Published: 22 Dec 2008 02:04:12 PST

For the first time in automotive history, an oil pan module made from a thermoplastic polymer is now being used for serial-production of cars. Working in close cooperation with Bruss - the automotive supplier- and DuPont, Daimler have achieved a breakthrough by developing a modular design for its new 4-cylinder diesel engines (model OM651), which consist of a die-cast aluminium upper shell and a multifunctional lower shell, made of DuPont™ Zytel® 70G35 HSLR.
The implemented design assures the part's stiffness, and, at the same time, achieves a significant weight reduction of 1.1 kg versus an entirely aluminium design. Moreover, production efficiency is increased due to the high flow of the heat-stabilised, glass-fibre reinforced nylon, enabling long flow distances, short injection times and the reliable moulding of thin-walled sections. The material's high compatibility with vibration welding further benefits productivity.