SENSOR HARNESSES USED IN JET ENGINE TESTING DEPEND ON THE HEAT STRENGTH & DURABILITY OF STANYL®

Sensor systems for jet engine testing – critical to development and qualification -- face tough conditions, ranging from extreme vibration to broad fluctuation in temperature. Connectors for the many harnesses in one manufacturer’s systems are made of Stanyl® polyamide 4,6 (PA46), taking advantage of the cost effectiveness, design freedom, heat resistance, dimensional stability, stiffness and durability of Stanyl grades.

The ability of the heat-stabilized Stanyl TE250F6 grade to maintain mechanical strength to 270 °C plays a large part in the design and long-term functionality of the connectors. Stanyl also handles dense pin counts and pitch in thinwall designs, thanks to exceptional ductility and weldline strength. Additionally, Stanyl is more cost-effective than other high-heat thermoplastics, especially when its faster cycle times and flow characteristics are considered.

“The key to success was working with the test equipment producer to optimise the connector design in Stanyl,” said Marco van Moll, Application Development Technical Service, Stanyl. “It soon emerged that TE250F6 provided an ideal balance of mouldability, overall cost and, most importantly, long service life.”

With a heat deflection temperature (HDT) of 290 °C, this grade is excellent for electronics production using lead-free soldering. Dimensional stability, particularly creep resistance, enables pin retention and maintenance of pitch over long periods of use in situations like jet testing, where connectors see multiple, rapid setups and tear-downs under tough aerospace conditions.

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

Stanyl is one of very few high performance thermoplastics used in aerospace engines. Its higher crystallinity and a faster rate of crystallization provides a technical edge over other engineering plastics, including PA6, polyesters, semi-aromatic polyamides (PPAs), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) and liquid crystal polymers (LCPs).