SIEMENS VDO GAINS FROM DSM’S STANYL® FOR AUTOMOTIVE SENSOR HOUSINGS

Automotive sensor housings made of DSM Engineering Plastics Stanyl® TW200F6, a polyamide 46 (PA46) with 30-percent glass reinforcement, provide oil and temperature resistance, strength, and sealing for Siemens VDO components, including oil-level sensors for Vectra car models from Adam Opel AG. Better melt flow and mechanical properties compared with PA66 allow Stanyl TW200F6 to flow around sensor elements and inserts for better sealing and encapsulation, improved surface quality, and longer product life. The superior melt flow additionally lessens the potential for damage to sensor elements and wires as it reduces injection moulding cycle times and tooling wear.

Engine and drivetrain sensors typically combine metal thermocouple or transducer elements with thermoplastic protective shells. These shells protect the sensor, seal access points and provide assembly or mounting bosses for attachment to the engine block or transaxle. Stanyl TW200F6 components provide superior resistance to transmission fluids and engine oils and give an extra margin of stiffness to handle fluid pressures. Its resin-rich surface seals better than alternatives to sensors and inserts.

“Stanyl is used for a broad range of automotive sensor applications, including Hall sensors, ABS system sensors,” said Robert Mushack, Account Manager, DSM Deutschland GmbH. “In the Opel oil-level application, Stanyl replaced a 40-percent glass-filled polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), thanks to Stanyl’s superior melt flow and processing characteristics such as mould temperatures of 80 C, and no flash problems.”

Stanyl TW200F6 is one of the Stanyl family of heat-resistant polyamide moulding compounds, produced and marketed exclusively by DSM and available worldwide. Stanyl is used in demanding applications in the automotive and electrical and electronics industries, as well as many other applications. Stanyl is offered in a wide variety of grades including high-flow, abrasion-resistant, and unfilled (non-reinforced), as well as grades containing glass fibres, minerals, lubricants, impact modifiers or flame retardants.

Higher crystallinity and a faster rate of crystallization give Stanyl a technical edge over such engineering plastics as PA6, PA66, polyesters, and other high heat-resistant resins such as semi-aromatic polyamides (PPAs), PPS and LCPs. Compared to these, Stanyl grades show better heat resistance, mechanical properties at elevated temperatures, wear and friction behaviour and, with faster cycle time and increased flowability, improved processing economics. A dedicated staff of specialists provides technical support in design, moulding, and material selection of Stanyl.