18 Jun 2008

NEW HYDRAULIC HOSES HAVE ARNITEL® TPE-E CORE FOR SUPERIOR LIFECYCLE PERFORMANCE

Many manufacturers of hydraulic hoses are now using a new material for the core. This is Arnitel®, a thermoplastic ether ester block copolymer elastomer (TPE-E), from DSM Engineering Plastics. DSM Engineering Plastics is a business group within the DSM N.V. Performance Materials cluster.

Hydraulic hoses normally have a core overlaid by fibre or metal braid pressure reinforcement and an outer protective layer. Compared with nitrile rubber and other traditional materials which it replaces, Arnitel® has many production, handling and performance advantages.

Importantly, Arnitel® provides a smoother inner surface, superior flexibility and better hot oil resistance. This means that fluids are easier to pump while the hoses are easier to handle and have a longer service life. In addition, cores can be manufactured to any length, including continuous production.

With Arnitel®, the hydraulic hose core can have thinner walls for a given pressure rating which makes the finished hose lighter and more flexible. Other properties which make the material ideal include low volumetric expansion under pressure, little or no oil absorption and low diffusion of gases. Because Arnitel® requires no processing oils or plasticizers for flexibility, there is no leaching of contaminants in use.

Arnitel® grades suitable for hydraulic hose core include PM581, PM650, EM550 and EM630, all of which meet SAE J517 specifications.

In addition to hydraulic applications, Arnitel® is extensively used for the manufacture of personal automotive components, such as armrests and steering wheel covers. It is also used for automotive components which require exceptional fatigue resistance and resistance to oil and greases, including rack and pinion bellows, constant velocity joint (CVJ) boots and air brake tubing. In the electronic and consumer goods industry, Arnitel® is used for mobile phone antennas, cable insulation, flexible tubing, handles and pads.

The material can also be found in the most diverse range of other products, for example from very small, low-noise gears to large, energy and sound-absorbing railway pads.

Reader enquiries

DSM Engineering Materials
30 Pasir Panjang Road #13-31
Mapletree Business City
Singapore 117440
Singapore

Notes for editors

DSM Engineering Plastics

DSM Engineering Plastics is a Business Group in the performance materials cluster of DSM, with sales in 2007 of EUR 839 million and approximately 1550 employees worldwide. It is one of the world's leading suppliers of engineering thermoplastics offering a broad portfolio of high performance products including Stanyl® high performance polyamide and Akulon® 6 and 66 polyamides, Arnitel® TPE-E, Arnite® PBT and PET polyesters, Xantar® polycarbonate, Yparex® extrudable adhesive resins. These materials are used in technical components for electrical appliances, electronic equipment and cars, in barrier packaging films as well as in many mechanical and extrusion applications. With Stanyl®, it is the global market leader in high heat polyamides.

DSM – the Life Sciences and Materials Sciences Company

Royal DSM N.V. creates innovative products and services in Life Sciences and Materials Sciences that contribute to the quality of life. DSM’s products and services are used globally in a wide range of markets and applications, supporting a healthier, more sustainable and more enjoyable way of life. End markets include human and animal nutrition and health, personal care, pharmaceuticals, automotive, coatings and paint, electrics and electronics, life protection and housing. DSM has annual sales of almost EUR 8.8 billion and employs some 23,000 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in the Netherlands, with locations on five continents. DSM is listed on Euronext Amsterdam.

More information on DSM can be found at www.dsm.com .

Akulon®, Arnite®, Arnitel®, Stanyl®, Xantar® and Yparex® are registered trademarks of Royal DSM N.V.