The fan module flange is injection moulded with integrated copper contacts, fastening elements and fixings for the electronics and fan motor

Lanxess highlighted its materials for automotive electronics applications at the 2016 VDI Plastics in Automotive Engineering conference in Mannheim, Germany, in March.

New thermally conductive polyamides include Durethan BTC 75 H3.0 EF, a PA 6 compound reinforced with 75% mineral content to replace a PA with a glass fibre/mineral mix for thermal conductivity. Lanxess said the application is a modular flange for a drive used in car interior ventilation systems.

Tier One supplier Robert Bosch is using the flange made with this material in a fan module of a cooling system for various car interiors. SFS Intec, based in Korneuburg, Lower Austria, injection moulds the flange.

The flange conducts the operating heat generated in the motor winding and the electronics of the fan module to the outside, protecting the fan from thermal overload. Thermal conductivity, at 1.4 W/mK, is around five times higher than that of standard PA 6 with 30% glass fibre reinforcement, which compares favourably with PA filled with aluminium oxide.

“Compared to boron nitride systems, our compound has better mechanical properties, is more cost-effective and conducts heat on a largely isotropic basis, ie almost identically in all directions,” added Lanxess executive Stefan Theiler.

Durethan BTC 75 H3.0 EF has long-term thermal resistance up to 120°C and is suited for use in the housing parts of electronic systems, which tend to be prone to failure due to the heat generated during operation. “For instance, we are thinking of lids for control housings, covers for small motors and LED components such as cooling elements,” said Thieler.

Lanxess also highlighted Pocan BF 4232 HR, a polybutylene terephthalate suited to hot and moist conditions, such as under-the-hood applications, including sensors, plug connectors and housings of actuators and control units. The new PBT, 30% reinforced with glass fibres, offers “excellent” hydrolysis stability and “outstanding” flame retardance, said Lanxess.