The cantilever top posts of BMW 3 series to 7 series unexpectedly use these two types of engineering plastics
When driving a car, not only the steering wheel has a significant impact on the driving experience, but also the cantilever pillar connecting the steering wheel and the brake system has an impact on the driving experience.
Valeo, a French auto supplier, has developed a cantilever top post, whose shell and lever are made of BASF engineering plastics PA Ultramid and PBT Ultradur. It is 20% lighter than the original model, and has a smooth surface treatment, good UV resistance and excellent mechanical properties. The top pillar module has been applied to BMW 3-series, 4-series, 5-series, 6-series and 7-series models with rear wheel drive.
"Our steering column can adapt to the special interior structure after careful research and development and integrated design," Jochen Foeß El said that he was Fareo's engineer in charge of parts optimization and plastic injection mold. "In order to create a stable, functional, fashionable and beautiful cantilever pillar module, we chose BASF's engineering plastics. BASF also provided services from component design, material development and processing."
Valeo selected Ultraid B3EG10 SI (SI is the abbreviation of surface improved, which means the surface has been treated and improved) to manufacture the indicator light handle and wiper rod; PBTs Ultradur B 4520 and Ultradur B 4300 G4 are used to manufacture the two-component core module, which is processed by Buck Spritzgussteile Formenbau of Germany with micro foaming.
The shell and lever of the cantilever top pillar developed by Valeo are made of BASF engineering plastics PA Ultraid and PBT Ultradur and have been used in BMW 3-series to 7-series cars
High quality surface treatment effect
The indicator light handle and wiper rod made of BASF Ultramid B3EG10 SI have high quality surface treatment effect. This polyamide is filled with 50% glass fiber to achieve the perfect combination of mechanical properties and visual effects; Therefore, this polyamide is usually used for surface components. These components need not only fashionable and good-looking appearance, but also stable quality and UV resistance. These materials were originally developed for the home furnishing industry, and have been widely used in various chairs or office chairs with strong sense of design.
"At the beginning, we were a little surprised that BASF provided us with a material for home use," Jochen Foeß El said, "When we saw that it can produce a uniform and bright surface treatment effect, we were also conquered by it. Subsequently, the mechanical and UV resistance of this material also passed our experimental tests." Valeo tested the automotive interior components made of this material according to DIN EN ISO 1043-1/GS 93016.
Customized brand
The two-component core module of the cantilever top column is made of different Ultradur brands. The shell of the lower cantilever is made of Ultradur B 4300 G4 material, which is added with 20% glass fiber and is processed by Buck Spritzgussteile Formenbau Company with micro foaming method. In micro foaming, when the polymer is melted during injection molding, nitrogen is added to form a foam structure. In this way, the weight of components is reduced by nearly 10%, the dimensional stability is improved, and the high rigidity and chemical resistance of materials are not adversely affected.
The shell of the upper cantilever top pillar is made of non reinforced PBT Ultradur B 4520 material. The material has low water absorption and high dimensional stability. In high temperature environment, it can also present beautiful surface treatment results and excellent dimensional stability. This balanced performance can ensure that the steering wheel can be safely installed on the cantilever pillar module.
Application of PBT in Automobile
As a kind of crystalline polyester, PBT has fast crystallization and easy molding; Melting point up to 225 ℃, good heat resistance; Low water absorption, good dimensional stability; Low friction coefficient and wear resistance; Good chemical, solvent and weather resistance; Good bending creep property; High flame retardant level; Modified PBT materials that meet the different functional requirements of various automotive components can be obtained through various modification processing methods. In addition, their excellent properties make various toughened, filled, reinforced PBT and PBT alloy materials widely used in automobiles, and new technologies and applications are constantly emerging.
The specific applications of PBT engineering plastics in automotive interior and exterior decoration and electrical include: ashtrays, door lock systems, mirrors, door handles, light frames, bumpers, wiper blades, fuse boxes, connectors, ignition systems, light sockets, etc. Automotive interior materials shall have outstanding performance such as high temperature resistance, low gloss and high weather resistance; In addition to the function of interior trim, the exterior trim shall also have high strength, high toughness, environmental resistance and impact resistance; Electrical components shall be flame retardant and insulated.
Application of Nylon in Automobile
Nylon 6 and 66 are now playing an increasingly important role in the production of auto parts, thus competing with the original materials - metal and thermosetting plastics. The reason why nylon has become popular in the field of auto parts is mainly related to the excellent performance of nylon itself: high temperature resistance, oil resistance, chemical corrosion resistance, high tensile strength and modulus, relatively small density and low production cost, good surface characteristics, and the possibility of matching between components.
Nylon is commonly used in the following auto parts: engine hood, rocker cover, cooling and heating device and fuel tank. Nylon resins used in these fields are usually reinforced with 20~40% glass or other mineral fibers to improve the strength. Special chemical methods can also be used to treat nylon resin to weaken the disadvantages such as hydrolysis oxidation and strengthen the advantages of heat resistance.
