Florence, Ky., July 19, 2007 – Siemens VDO has adopted Hostaform® EC140XF acetal copolymer (POM) from Ticona, the engineering polymers business of Celanese Corporation, to dissipate electrostatic charge in the fuel supply unit of the Ford Transit. This POM is an extended-use, conductive grade developed for auto fuel systems, especially those that handle aggressive fuel blends at elevated temperature.
The Siemens application involves a POM holder for the contact system of a fuel level indicator and the lever arm/float assembly mounted to it. This system must operate over the life of the car in various fuels at service temperatures from -40 to +80 °C, which reflects the increased thermal requirements of diesel engines. "
Plastic fuel system components can become electrostatically charged as flowing fuel causes charge separation. The likelihood of charge build-up occurring, and thus sparking, rises as fuel systems operate at higher pressures and flow rates. Ticona’s new electrostatically dissipative POM was developed to avert such charge accumulation and has been approved for fuel system use by General Motors (GM Specification GMP.POM.045). It also meets the SAE J1645 Recommended Practice for averting static charge build-up in auto fuel systems*.
“Hostaform EC140XF extends our line of fuel-resistant acetal POMs,” said Dwight Smith, application development engineer. “As an advanced, conductive, carbon-black-filled acetal copolymer, it contains a proprietary stabilization system that allows it to retain high toughness in the face of long-term exposure to challenging fuels at elevated temperatures.
“We developed this grade based on the many customer requests we received for a higher-temperature, conductive acetal for fuel systems. In addition to fuel resistance, they wanted consistent conductive properties from lot to lot and excellent processability. We succeeded on all accounts. From a processing standpoint, Hostaform EC140XF runs well on molding machines without any start-up delays."
In addition to the Siemens VDO application, Hostaform EC140XF POM is being used in inlet check valves in passenger cars and trucks, and is under consideration for such fuel system elements as filler necks, fuel filter housings, fuel flanges, fuel pumps, vapor canisters, tank mounted valves and sending units. It can be used wherever electrostatic charge can damage sensitive electrical components or trigger thermal events, such as in all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, personal watercraft, and pumps for flammable materials and other industrial components.
Hostaform EC140XF is based on Hostaform® C13031XF, which offers high chemical and impact resistance for use with diesel and gasoline fuel systems, especially those involving biodiesel fuel blends. The high acidity of these fuels makes them more reactive with standard acetals and other plastics, especially at higher temperatures. Hostaform EC140XF has been modified to emphasize use with elevated service temperatures over the long term.
About Ticona and Celanese
Ticona, the engineering polymers business of Celanese Corporation, produces and markets a broad range of high performance products , and achieved net sales of $915 million in 2006. Ticona employs approximately 2,000 individuals at production, compounding and research facilities in the USA, Germany and Brazil.
As a global leader in the chemicals industry, Celanese Corporation makes products essential to everyday living. Our products, found in consumer and industrial applications, are manufactured in North America, Europe and Asia. Net sales totaled $6.7 billion in 2006, with over 60% generated outside of North America. Known for operational excellence and execution of its business strategies, Celanese delivers value to customers around the globe with innovations and best-in-class technologies. Based in Dallas, Texas, the company employs approximately 8,900 employees worldwide. |
