7 Nov 2006
SPE award for Roechling Automotive with Rhodia Technyl® A338 WIT2 V30
Lyon, France, November 6th, 2006 – Roechling Automotive wins the SPE Central Europe Automotive “Grand Innovation Award” 2006 for developing, in partnership with Rhodia Engineering Plastics, a cooling water pipe made of Technyl® A338 WIT2 V30.
The component, already in serial production on a BMW 3 series vehicle, is processed by Projectile Injection Technology (PIT) that enables, according to Roechling Automotive, 50% weight reduction with PIT over GIT, a more constant part thickness, as well as a faster cycle time that could be further reduced by using water instead of gas as processing fluid media.
This new development success is the result of the excellent cooperation between Roechling and Rhodia starting from the material selection until the part design and the prototypes testing according to the OEM specs.
Technyl® A338 WIT2 V30 is a PA66-GF30 grades specifically developed for Water Injection Technology. This material has been selected since it proved to be higher in performances in comparison with other grades also when processed by PIT.
The main factors influencing the choice of this grade were related to its ability to create high quality inner surface thanks to even glass fibres coverage by the polymer. This superior surface finish represent a very important end benefits on reducing the cooling pipe pressure loss and the risk of glass particles pollution formation during the engine life time.
The other decisive advantage was the excellent cooling liquid resistance, with better retention of mechanical properties after exposure to cooling water/glycol liquid in comparison with other grades and the absence of inner surface erosion and exposure of glass fibres after the severe life tests performed according to BMW standards.
During the development phase Rhodia also provided support on parts testing including:
- pressure loss measurement at a fixed cooling flow rate
- long life cooling liquid circulation test
- surface quality evaluation before and after cooling liquid circulation test
Reader enquiries
Rhodia Engineering Plastics
Avenue Ramboz
F-69192 Saint-Fons Cedex
France
Notes for editors
Rhodia Polyamide is an upstream integrated company providing intermediates for polyamide and other applications, polyamide polymers, as well as a complete downstream range of added value products including engineering plastics polyamide 6.6 and 6 based, industrial polyamide yarns, technical and consumer polyamide fibers and textile yarns. With fourteen state-of-the art production facilities along with R&D and technical centers, Rhodia Polyamide serves customers on every continent, with the capability to develop products and technologies locally.
Rhodia is a global specialty chemicals company recognized for its strong technology positions in Performance Materials, Functional Chemicals and the Organics and Services clusters. Partnering with major players in the automotive, electronics, pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, consumer care, tires, and paints and coatings markets, Rhodia offers tailor-made solutions combining original molecules and technologies to respond to customers’ needs. Rhodia subscribes to the principles of Sustainable Development communicating its commitments and performance openly with stakeholders. Rhodia generated sales of €5 billion in 2005 and employs around 19,500 people worldwide. Rhodia is listed on the Paris and New York stock exchanges.
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Editorial enquiries
Christine Bourguignon
Rhodia Engineering Plastics
christine.bourguignon@eu.rhodia.com
Alan Flower
EMG