DuPont™ Zytel® HTN PPA - more than a match for nylon 12 in urgent replacement programs
Many OEMs and Auto component suppliers currently considering replacement of nylon 12 (PA12), and the feasibility of rapid conversions, have come to DuPont Performance Polymers for solutions. Their aim is to source material alternatives that require limited re-qualification or tooling adjustment without additional cost, especially for key fuel systems line elements and quick connectors.
DuPont is committed to supplying the automotive market long-term. As a mark of confidence, the company is currently expanding its Zytel®HTN PPA capacity to meet immediate and future customer needs.
DuPont has worked closely with fuel system part suppliers on PPA evaluation as an alternative to nylon 12, and has already demonstrated that DuPont™ Zytel® HTN54 Series PPA resins are more than a match for PA12 in performance. Zytel® HTN54 Series PPA resins are excellent candidates for replacing PA12's in injection-molding applications such as fuel quick-connectors. They are available in conductive and non-conductive grades that can replace equivalent PA12 grades. Zytel® HTN conductive resins are used where flowing hydrocarbon fuels can lead to a gradual build-up of static charges. They ground those charges before they can build up to the point where a spark, or worse, could result.
These automotive fuel line quick connectors — injection-molded in DuPont™ Zytel® HTN54 Series PPA resins in replacement of nylon PA12 — gain superior resistance to heat, and to ethanol, methanol and diesel biofuels, without added cost. |
Zytel® HTN54 PPA offers excellent chemical compatibility with, and resistance to, automotive fuels including ethanol and methanol bio-fuels, and bio-diesel. In addition, the DuPont PPA provides better heat resistance than PA12 — a key advantage as automotive under-hood temperatures continue to climb due to the worldwide trend to smaller, hotter engines.Another important consideration for OEMs contemplating PA12 replacement is that the performance advantages of Zytel® HTN54 Series PPA can add value without adding cost.
While the mold-shrinkage factors of Zytel® HTN54 PPA are not exactly the same as PA12, they can often be processed through the same tooling with little or no finessing required. This can save part manufacturers significant investment in new tools that might be necessary should other alternative materials be selected. While PA12 tends to flow a little more easily than Zytel® HTN PPA, the small difference can be accommodated with minor gating modifications. Many PA12 tools are capable of running both types of resin without requiring any gating changes.
As a result of the attractive performance and processing advantages of Zytel® HTN54 Series PPA resins, many quick connect suppliers are conducting expedited testing and evaluation of the DuPont offering as direct replacement for their existing PA12 programs. DuPont expects several leading fuel connector manufacturers to begin transitioning to commercial production of these parts in Zytel® HTN resins by the fourth quarter of 2011.
