POLYPLASTICS INTRODUCES LESS HEAT-RESISTANT PLASTICS FOR EV

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 7 (Bernama) -- The Polyplastics Group, a leading global supplier of engineering thermoplastics, has introduced an approach of using its less heat-resistant plastics products for electric vehicle (EV) cooling components.

According to a statement, Polyplastics sees strong potential for less heat-resistant plastics such as polyoxymethylene (POM) and polypropylene (PP) for production and manufacturing of EV cooling components.

As the automotive industry moves from traditional combustion engine vehicles to battery electric vehicles (BEVs), original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and parts manufacturers are reimagining the types of materials that can meet the thermal management needs of EVs.

The coolant in combustion engines is typically maintained at a temperature of 70 to 100 degrees celsius (ºC) but can climb to 120 ºC or higher if the engine overheats. Therefore, metals or highly heat-resistant plastics like polyphenylene sulphide (PPS) are used in cooling components and lines.

In comparison, EVs require a long-life coolant (LLC) temperature of 100 ºC or lower, allowing for the use of less heat-resistant materials for BEV-specific components.

When the temperature of an LLC is 100 ºC or lower, general-purpose engineering plastics like POM or PP can be used instead of metals or high-performance engineering plastics.

In the case of PP, Polyplastics sees potential for PP-LGF (long glass fibre) instead of short glass fibre to increase strength, dimensional accuracy, and overall performance.

Replacing highly heat-resistant plastics such as PPS with POM and PP not only reduces material costs but also helps with efforts to reduce carbon dioxide by reducing the carbon footprint of materials and energy consumption during moulding.

-- BERNAMA