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Fuel Systems
High-Performance Plastics Essential for Success
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In order to meet tightening fuel system requirements on a global basis, OEMs and their suppliers are turning to higher performing plastics for use in automotive and other fuel-burning engines to help them meet EPA and CARB standards.
Amodel® polyphthalamide (PPA) and Ixef® polyarylamide (PARA) (see below) are two families of semi-aromatic polyamides that are of particular interest because of their inherent fuel barrier properties and compatibility with bio-diesel and flex fuels.
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Amodel® Polyphthalamide
For over 15 years, Amodel PPA has successfully replaced metal in fuel system components where heat is a major consideration. With a heat deflection temperature of 280°C (536°F) and continuous-use temperatures from 120-180°C (248-356°F), Amodel PPA delivers the thermal performance you need for the short term as
well as the long haul.
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Key Features
- High strength and stiffness
- Ultra-low permeation
- Bio-diesel and flex fuel compatibility
- Long-term fuel contact from 60-125°C (140-257°F)
- Continuous use from 120-180°C (248-356°F)
- Resistance to automotive fluids, cleaners
and road salts
- ESD and toughened grades available
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Typical Applications
- Fuel flanges
- Rollover valves
- Quick connects
- Filter housings
- Fuel rails
- Sender units
- Fuel and vapor lines
- Throttle bodies
- Carburetors
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More Compatible
The compatibility of Amodel PPA with many current and potential future fuel blends was evaluated in extensive laboratory testing. This included exposure to bio-diesel, diesel, and diesel with aggressive water for 6,000 hours at 125°C (257°F) to simulate under-the-hood conditions and exposure to fuel C, flex fuels, and auto-oxidized fuels for 5,000 hours at 60°C (140°F) to simulate fuel tank conditions.
Amodel PPA showed low weight gain, little dimensional change, and excellent retention of mechanical properties over the range of fuels and temperatures evaluated. Please contact your Solvay representative for detailed test results.
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Ixef® Polyarylamide
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Ixef PARA is similar to Amodel PPA in its exceptional barrier properties and compatibility with a variety of fuels. A key difference is the material’s lower processing temperature, which has enabled a promising new polyethylene co-processing technology designed to help OEMs more cost-effectively meet regulatory requirements.
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Key Features
- Ultra-low permeation
- Bio-diesel and flex fuel compatibility
- Two-layer and three-layer barrier technology
- Exceptional processing stability
- Continuous barrier at pinch line
- Low extractibles in alcohol-based fuels
- ESD and toughened grades available
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Typical Applications
- Fuel tanks
- Filler tubes
- Delivery hoses
- Storage containers
- Portable containers
- Sheet and film
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More Performance with Fewer Layers
Many manufacturers have turned to co-extruded multi-layer barrier technology based on ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) copolymer to help reduce evaporative emissions. Because the barrier properties of EVOH are adversely affected by direct contact with fuel, a protective polyethylene (PE) layer is required (figure 1).
In contrast, Ixef PARA can withstand direct fuel contact, thereby eliminating the protective PE layer and associated tie layer (figure 2). Three layers can be further reduced to two layers by blending the PE and tie layers together (figure 3). Both two-layer and three-layer structures deliver better barrier properties than a fiver-layer EVOH structure by providing a continuous barrier at the pinch line.
Fewer layers can significantly reduce equipment costs, which is an attractive option for processors giving thought to investing in capital-intensive multi-layer equipment. Manufacturers who have already purchased multi-layer equipment can still benefit from Ixef PARA barrier technology through process optimization and enhanced utilization of capital equipment.
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When exposed to CM15 fuel for 5,000 hours at 60°C (140°F), Ixef PARA showed low weight gain, little dimensional change and excellent retention of mechanical properties. Additional testing to confirm the material's long-term compatibility with Fuel C, CE10, CE85, B20, SME, B20 RME and No. 2 diesel are near completion.
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TECHNICAL LITERATURE
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