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Cooper Standard, a Novi, Mich.-based global supplier of automotive sealing, fluid, and anti-vibration systems, uses Amodel? polyphthalamide (PPA) from Solvay Specialty Polymers USA, LLC in a unique coolant flow valve for the innovative Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle with extended-range capability.
The high-tech valve is designed to control the fluids used to temper the battery system to manage optimum operating temperature, while maximizing efficiency and longevity. The battery thermal management system works to maintain a stable temperature for the 16.5-kWh battery. The electric valve controls the flow of coolant by opening or closing to maintain the optimum temperature of the battery. For the valve housing, Amodel? PPA delivers strong dimensional stability, exceptional elevated thermal performance under pressure, and stronger resistance to ethylene glycol.
Amodel? PPA exceeds the application performance requirements, providing a good margin of safety for this under-the-hood device, according to Dave Malone, Advanced Engineer for Electromechanical Systems for Cooper Standard. “Amodel? PPA has a wide range of uses within our valves from caps, covers, and housings to connectors,” said Malone. “The material meets Cooper Standard’s manufacturing requirement to communize raw materials for components of the valve.”
Amodel? PPA has been the preferred material in engine cooling components because of its high retention of mechanical properties over 5000 hours in ethylene glycol (engine coolant). Other competing materials such as conventional nylons (nylon 6,6) have failed to withstand the requirements of these systems due to significant loss of mechanical properties when exposed to ethylene glycol. This unique application demonstrates the high-performance capabilities of Amodel? PPA in electric vehicles, extending its already extensive use in automotive thermal management systems.
The injection moulded electric valve, measuring 5 inches (12.7 cm) between tube extremities, 3-inches (7.6 cm) in diameter, and 4 inches (10.2 cm) high, has most of its injection molded parts made of Amodel? A-1933 HSL, a 33% glass-filled grade.
Copper Standard has already made extensive use of Amodel? PPA previously in quick connects for fuel systems. In response to tougher corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) regulations and stricter emission standards, global automotive OEMs have identified new ways to reduce the cost and weight of engine cooling components. Over the years, they have increasingly moved to high-performance thermoplastics such as polyphthalamide (PPA) as a lightweight replacement for metal in a broad range of engine cooling applications.