WABASH TRANSMISSION SENSOR RELIES ON STANYL® FOR HIGH HEAT RESISTANCE

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (April 10, 2006) Wabash Technologies selected Stanyl® for the transmission sensor used on heavy-duty full size and commercial trucks. Stanyl TW200F8 (40% glass reinforced polyamide 46) is used for the main body of the sensor and Stanyl TW271F6 (30% glass reinforced polyamide 46) is used for the rotor.

The sensor, which determines whether the transmission gear is in park, neutral, or the various drive gears, demands high temperature transmission oil resistance, high temperature stiffness (150°C) peaks to 170°C, and excellent wear resistance. Polyamides are well known for their resistance to a wide range of chemicals. Stanyl is no exception. At higher temperatures its resistance to oils and greases is excellent. Due to its high crystallinity, Stanyl retains a high level of stiffness up to temperatures very close to its melting point. This provides wider safety margins for critical applications than standard engineering plastics (e.g. PA6, PA66, and polyesters). Stanyl has an excellent wear resistance and outperforms other engineering/high performance plastics under most conditions but especially at higher temperatures or high torque/loads.

DSM engineers provide OEM’s and suppliers with the technical support they need to turn their innovations into successes delivering added value through knowledge, performance, and confidence. The cover of the sensor and the interface of the body needed to be flat and match up so the two parts could fit together and be ultrasonically welded. Engineers were able to provide design assistance, mold flow and gating recommendations for part dimensions allowing for the successful design of this sensor.

Wabash Technologies

Wabash Technologies started business in 1946 as DeLuxe Coils Inc. employing 19 people, in a 400 sq. ft. facility. Today, they are Wabash Technologies, employing over 1,200 people and occupying more than 220,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing space. They produce over 20 million sensors and 5 million fuel injection stators/actuators per year. Current operations are separated into two units: Custom Designed Products Division and Specialty Products Division, (SPD). Wabash Technologies is celebrating its 60th year of designing and manufacturing powertrain sensors and actuators for the automotive and commercial vehicle markets.