Chevrolet, a subsidiary of General Motors Corporation (NYSE: GM), is equipping its 2017 Silverado 2500HD with a functional bonnet scoop and a new patented
air-intake system.
Therefore, the task of
air-intake is to maximize the static pressure recovery and the flow uniformity at the engine inlet face/compressor inlet called "aerodynamic inlet plane" (AIP).
In one of the regions, the company is using a chemically coupled PP/glass compound developed a couple of years ago by Borealis Polymers, Mechelen, Belgium, specifically for
air-intake manifolds and other parts exposed to high temperatures and loads.
An air-induction tube developed by Polaris Industries All-Terrain Vehicles uses material and processing innovations that are said to enhance engine
air-intake performance and reduce costs.
Ultramid nylon resins from BASF are used to injection mold what is called "the first all-plastic
air-intake module," featured in the 1999 BMW 2-liter, 4-cylinder turbo diesel engine.
This included the use of impact copolymers for battery cases and fender liners, random copolymers for washer-fluid reservoirs, and filled homopolymers for
air-intake and heater ducting.
Another market amenable to PPS forming is automotive under-hood parts like engine covers and
air-intake manifolds that are currently injection molded of nylon or other high-temperature plastics.
The new material was used recently to make 20
air-intake manifolds by Rapid Prototype Co., Auburn Hills, Mich.
A new vibration welder from Branson Ultrasonics will join reduced-density nylon 6
air-intake manifolds made with Trexel Corp.'s MuCell microcellular foam technology.
(booth 2542), plans to show vibration welding of a complex
air-intake manifold from two halves injection molded of glass-reinforced nylon 66.
* The
air-intake manifold on a highend European car may be one sign of a renaissance for phenolics.
Beyond front-end carriers, Dow envisions using the LESA adhesive system to bond integrated
air-intake manifolds, doors, tailgates, and fender modules.
A new
air-intake design allows much more effective internal bubble cooling for small blown-film dies, says Brampton Engineering Inc., Brampton, Ont.
The latest example of this application is a 30% glass-filled nylon 46
air-intake manifold for the Ford Transit minivan in the U.K.
BMW in Germany is also evaluating
air-intake manifolds injection molded of Carilon by a lost-core process.