DSM’s Akulon Ultraflow helps BBP cut weight of oil sumps for new Mercedes-Benz S Class engine

Royal DSM, the global Life Sciences and Materials Sciences company, announces a new application of its lightweight solution for automotive oil sumps injection molded in Akulon® Ultraflow polyamide 6. The new Mercedes-Benz S Class, one of the most luxurious cars in the world, is the latest vehicle to benefit from this DSM innovation. The oil sump not only weighs less than a metal version—and so helps to lower fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions during the lifetime of the vehicle— it also costs less to produce.

The sump developed by German Tier One supplier BBP in Marbach am Neckar, Germany for Mercedes-Benz is around 50% lighter than the metal version it replaces. The two companies subjected it to some very demanding application tests, including vibration, stone impact, and an engine drop test. Oil sumps provide a considerable challenge for developers: their exposed position under the engine means they have to be very resistant to impacts and mechanical stress.

The grade used for the application is Akulon Ultraflow K-FHG7, a 35% glass reinforced, heat stabilized polyamide 6 with high resistance to engine oil, and very good flow properties. Its significant processing advantages come at no cost to mechanical properties compared to standard polyamide 6 products.

Horst Hauke, Director Sales Automotive at BBP, says: “With materials like Akulon Ultraflow from DSM, we can make important progress in demanding engine compartment applications to reduce fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. The oil sump is an important breakthrough, and it demonstrates that DSM is listening to its partners along the supply chain in its development of materials to address the performance and sustainability challenges that we all face.”

More information can be found at www.dsm.com/automotive and www.akulon.com.