Traditional automobiles use internal combustion engines as their power system, and their thermal management primarily focuses on cooling the engine and its surrounding components. Traditional automotive thermal management systems typically rely on mechanical components such as radiators, water pumps, and thermostats for natural cooling, resulting in generally low thermal management efficiency. Compared to traditional gasoline vehicles, while the goal of thermal management in new energy vehicles is also to maintain the optimal temperature of core components, new energy vehicles actually require more precise temperature management and higher efficiency, thus placing greater complexity on their thermal management systems.
Taking pure electric vehicles as an example, their thermal management system needs to help the power battery work efficiently within a narrow temperature range of 10-30/35℃. This is because working at higher or lower temperatures will not only affect the efficiency of the battery cells, but also the battery range and even the battery life, leading to premature battery failure.
To meet the complex thermal management system requirements of new energy vehicles, the development of related component materials also needs continuous iteration and upgrading. During electric vehicle operation, the three-electric system (battery, electric drive, and electronic control) requires a more precise and efficient temperature control system. Therefore, related component materials need to possess higher durability. Furthermore, in controlling heat, related component materials also need to possess excellent dimensional stability and chemical resistance to help core components maintain dimensional accuracy and mechanical properties after long-term aging.
To meet the specific needs of the above materials, Solvay, a leading global supplier of specialty polymers, can leverage its extensive industry experience to provide new energy vehicle OEMs with high-performance thermal management materials that meet their requirements, helping related components to easily achieve reliable and safe operation under harsh working conditions.
01. Ryton PPS improves the safety factor of cooling pipes.
With the trend towards lightweighting and compactness in new energy vehicles, the design size of drive motors for these vehicles is constantly shrinking. This limited space not only poses challenges to the design of cooling pipes but also introduces unavoidable high-temperature challenges. To improve the design freedom of components such as cooling pipes and enhance their heat and chemical resistance without adding extra weight, Solvay has developed and launched the Ryton PPS polymer.
As a high-temperature resistant polymer, Ryton PPS possesses inherent flame-retardant properties and provides excellent dimensional stability for precision-molded parts subjected to prolonged high-temperature conditions. Coolant piping and air conditioning piping made from this material have a high melting point and are available in V0 flame-retardant grades, providing maximum safety margin in the event of internal thermal events or external fires.
Furthermore, as a metal alternative, it is lightweight and possesses excellent chemical resistance, tolerating road salts and all automotive chemicals. Compared to traditional polypropylene and polyamide materials, it exhibits superior elasticity under extreme high-temperature conditions. Its excellent molding and processing performance also allows it to meet the requirements of multi-component integration, perfectly aligning with the current design trend of lightweighting and compacting core components such as new energy drive motors.
02. Amodel PPA's superior performance is guaranteed for a long time.
Amodel PPA has been a reliable choice for lightweight solutions in new energy vehicles for over 25 years, with applications in various components under the hood. It boasts low moisture absorption, high toughness, and maintains its performance even in coolant. It retains its mechanical integrity even after thousands of hours of operation in high-temperature, high-humidity, and chemically corrosive environments. Furthermore, it offers glycol-resistant or electrically friendly specialty products. The electrically friendly products, containing non-corrosive heat stabilizers, exhibit high voltage resistance and maintain dielectric properties at high temperatures.
Building upon its Amodel PPA products, Solvay has also launched the newly upgraded Amodel Supreme & Bios series. Amodel Supreme boasts a high glass transition temperature (Tg=165°C), offering superior electrical properties for electric vehicle components compared to traditional PA4T and PA6T-based materials, including volume resistivity and dielectric strength at temperatures above 150°C. The Amodel Bios series features Solvay's latest partially bio-based long-chain PPA, achieving a glass transition temperature of up to 135°C, while possessing the lowest Global Warming Potential (GWP) of all PPA resins, making it a "dual-friendly" material for both electrical and environmental sustainability.
It's worth noting that at Solvay's US plant, multiple product lines, including the Ryton PPS and Amodel PPA, are produced using 100% renewable electricity. By combining improved energy efficiency with sustainable sourcing and enhanced circular economy practices, Solvay has successfully built a sustainable circular ecosystem within the automotive value chain. From 2013 to 2021, the production of the Amodel PPA achieved a 30% reduction in its carbon footprint.
In addition to considering material sustainability, the selection of specialty materials in the automotive industry requires a comprehensive evaluation of multiple factors, including operating temperature, electrical properties, and chemical resistance. This is especially crucial when choosing suitable materials for core components with complex operating conditions, such as motors. To address this need, Solvay has established the Materials Science and Applications Center (MSAC) in Brussels, Belgium, to provide expert technical support, helping you quickly optimize component manufacturability and achieve optimal new performance levels for your components.
