The automotive industry is undergoing dramatic changes on a global scale. Alternative drive technologies, new connectivity models and autonomous driving all require new automotive design concepts. One of the current focus of Covestro is in electric vehicles. Use polycarbonate plastic.
At the heart of future electric and hybrid vehicles is a lithium-ion battery. In order to accurately place a large number of battery cells in a small space, the battery holder and battery holder and housing components must have very strong dimensional stability and high mechanical robustness. According to the design principle of the battery pack, the material must also have flame retardancy. In addition, even in the case of a wall thickness as low as 0.75 mm, it must meet the UL94 flammability rating of Underwriter Laboratories Inc. V-0 level.
High performance plastic solutions for battery enclosures
Covestro has many years of experience in packaging lithium-ion batteries for notebook computers and other electronic devices. To achieve this goal, the company has developed a wide range of polycarbonate blends that meet these requirements and are within a wide temperature range. Especially at sub-zero temperatures, it also has a strong impact resistance. At the German Plastics Industry Trade Fair (Fakuma 2018) in 2018, the company will display various battery modules, battery holders, collisions at booth 4206 in Hall B4. Absorbers and other products.
Dr. Julian Marschewski of Covestro explains: 'Fire protection is especially important when it comes to battery holders and battery-integrated modules.' Electric vehicle experts added: 'The performance of the materials used around the battery, for finished parts, Many functional and safety tests play a decisive role and contribute to the safe operation of the battery throughout its life cycle.'
Custom materials
Bayblend® FR flame retardant polycarbonate ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) blend is ideal for battery holders and battery modules. The material is heat resistant and dimensionally stable and can be injection molded using this material. Process efficient production of parts. The material is also used in the mobile rechargeable battery of the Berlin manufacturer GreenPack.
The impact absorbers to be exhibited at Fakuma 2018 are made of PC-PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) Makroblend® KU-2 7912/4. The material has very high impact strength and It has a particularly high ductility at low temperatures. The honeycomb structure makes this impact absorber extremely resistant to impact.
Another special material is the highly filled polycarbonate material of the Makrolon® TC product line, which has been used in the heat sink of LED lamps. These products are thermally conductive, but are also used as electrical insulation products, so they help to achieve high efficiency. Battery thermal management.
Battery pack for harsh environments
Enduros models must be prepared for high winds and weather conditions, but the most important thing is to withstand the most demanding mechanical properties. In these off-road motorcycle models, the trend is also electric drive. California electric bike expert Alta Motors is this type The leading manufacturer of instruments. The brand name is Alta Pack. The battery is equipped with a jacket made of Makroblend®, a PC-PBT blend with excellent impact resistance.