30 Jun 2009

ARNITEL® TPC ADVANTAGE FOR FORD FIESTA VACUUM BRAKE TUBING

Arnitel® from DSM Engineering Plastics makes the difference for new Ford model

Ford has selected Arnitel TPC from DSM Engineering Plastics for the production of vacuum brake tubes for its recently launched new Ford Fiesta. In doing so, Ford has acknowledged the advantages of Arnitel for this specific application. Ford already uses Arnitel in similar applications in a number of its models: Ford Mondeo, Ford S-Max, Ford C-Max, Ford Galaxy and Ford Focus.

Design criteria for hoses and tubes in automotive engineering as well as in industrial environments are characterized by growing demands on performance, processability and design freedom of the materials used. In this respect, Arnitel thermoplastic copolyesters are emerging as a cost-efficient and sustainable alternative that far exceeds established materials in critical properties.

Meeting key requirements

Automotive vacuum brake tubes must not only resist elevated temperatures and fluids common in this environment, including battery acid. They should also show a maximum resistance to punctures and, above all, cracks and tears. Arnitel delivers the ductility to meet these requirements over a wide range of continuous use temperatures from 40°C to +110°C as well as at short-term peak temperatures of up to 180°C.

Arnitel’s outstanding heat resistance can often eliminate the need for additional heat shields or over-length tubes, thus reducing system costs and vehicle weight. In addition, Arnitel meets the strict requirements of the FMVSS 106 standard with regard to the ozone resistance of materials used for brake tubing.

In a benchmarking exercise, comparing the Arnitel solution with a metal/rubber system, results clearly demonstrate that Arnitel’s high temperature resistance enables a more compact design of the vacuum brake tube, leading to a significant system cost reduction.

Reader enquiries

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

Notes for editors

Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 213,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company’s wholly owned automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com.

DSM Engineering Plastics

DSM Engineering Plastics is one of the world's leading suppliers of engineering thermoplastics, with a permanent focus on innovation. Most recently, DSM Engineering Plastics introduced the first new polymer of the 21st century: Stanyl® ForTii™. DSM Engineering Plastics delivers Living Solutions: materials that support a durable vision of people, planet and profit for customers who design or produce electrical applications, electronic equipment, cars, barrier packaging films as well as many mechanical and extrusion applications. DSM Engineering Plastics offers a broad portfolio of high-performance materials, including Akulon® 6 and 66 polyamides, Arnitel® TPC copolyester , Arnite® PBT and PET polyesters, Xantar® polycarbonate, Yparex® extrudable adhesive resins and Stanyl®, global market leader in high-heat polyamides. DSM Engineering Plastics, with sales in 2008 of EUR 761 million and 1500 employees worldwide, is part of the PERFORMANCE MATERIALS cluster of DSM. More on: www.dsmep.com.

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, electrical and electronics, life protection and housing. DSM has annual net sales of EUR 9.3 billion and employs some 23,500 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in the Netherlands, with locations on five continents. DSM is listed on Euronext Amsterdam. More information: www.dsm.com .

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