LANXESS Germany at the recent VDI conference focused particularly on the future mobility of high-tech thermoplastics. The new mobile forms of autonomous driving, electrification of vehicle power trains and new logistics concepts are our polyamides, polyesters And the important growth of thermoplastic composites. 'The company's global director Martin said. 'Our current development activities focus on lightweight structural materials and technologies as well as thermal stress on electrical and electronic components for heat dissipation, flame retardant polyamides and polyesters. And another important point is setting the polyamide in high thermal stability.'
A highlight of the LANXESS company is the new 'hollow profile hybrid technology'. This process and lightweight design technology are the further development of the classic plastic-metal hybrid technology in automotive mass production. Hollow metal profiles with round or square cross-sections consist of Polyamide injection molding. 'Because of its dimensional stability, hollow profiles give the hybrid parts significantly higher torsional stiffness and strength. The investment in machinery and tools is low and the cycle time is as short as standard injection molding.
Another hot topic is XTS2 thermostabilization. It increases the thermal stability of polyamide 66 to 230 degrees Celsius. The target application of XTS2 materials is in automotive high-efficiency combustion engines. The first product in the XTS2 product portfolio. The polyamide 66 is reinforced with 35% glass fiber. Another PA 66 blown hollow part is under development.
Another focus topic for LANXESS's attendance at the conference is the continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites of the Tepex brand family. It is reported that they are becoming more and more important for the design of light vehicles and can be used in more and more series production applications today. Find. For example, front-end devices and bumper beams, brake pedals, etc. Technical Marketing and Commercial Director Henry explained: 'We also see great potential for using battery protection in cars and high integration for self-driving cars, multiple locations The new concept of seats. LANXESS is currently developing compound variants with electromagnetic shielding properties, in particular powertrain components for electrified vehicles.
The new form of mobility also opens up a wide range of potential applications for thermoplastics. LANXESS considers the use of high technology in battery system charging systems, motor sensors and housings, and in electronically mobile infrastructures, such as public charging stations. Plastics have great potential. 'Polyesters and polyamides provide optimal performance for the production of connectors and components for display and control units for self-driving vehicles.'