Husco says it is looking forward to continuing its collaboration with SABIC as it develops new innovations for next-generation vehicles based on ULTEM resin polyetherimide (PEI).
Husco was an early adopter of ULTEM resin in automotive applications. It has been using unfilled and glass-reinforced grades for 12 years, during which time it has built up considerable expertise in design and production with these high-end materials.
Typical applications for ULTEM resin developed by Husco are for components in their electro-hydraulic control valves. The application of those control valves are in Variable Valve Timing (VVT), Variable Displacement Oil Pump Control (VDOP), and Cylinder De-Activation Control (CDA), all of which enhance fuel efficiency and vehicle performance.
Husco’s highest volume application is its range of Cam Phasing and Variable Valve Timing (VVT) technologies. It has produced tens of millions of products in this family and continues to find new ways to optimize its product design and production system.
The company was also an early innovator in variable oil pump control technologies. These products improve efficiency by allowing engines to scale their oil usage in response to driving conditions.
ULTEM resin is a family of amorphous thermoplastic polyetherimide (PEI) resins that offers elevated temperature resistance, high strength and stiffness, and broad chemical resistance.
Key benefits of ULTEM resin include long-term heat resistance up to 180°C; outstanding strength and stiffness up to 200°C; dimensional stability over a wide temperature range; strength retention over long periods, and inherent flame resistance without additives.
Matt Schmitz, the company’s Engineering Programs Director, said: “We require extreme precision and micron-level dimensional stability across a broad temperature range that starts at -40°C and goes up to well over +150°C in applications like engine valve components, which need to survive sometimes as many as 700 million cycles over their lifetimes and constant vibration loads. ULTEM resin is the best thermoplastic we have found that meets those needs.
Husco continues to plan for the use of ULTEM resin in future applications.
Todd Dickrell, VP Purchasing, concludes: “We are pleased to hear that SABIC is moving ahead with capacity expansions in Singapore and in the USA. We and our customers very much appreciate the capability that manufacturing locations around the world provide us in supply of ULTEM resin.”