The multitude of megatrends influencing today's auto industry has clearly defined the need for new high performance thermal plastic composite materials that will extend product life under harsh conditions. In response a new family of nylons from DuPont which combines the ease of processing of conventional nylon resins with groundbreaking levels of resistance to chemicals, hot air, oil and coolant were developed. Comprehensive research shows that, in comparison to traditionally stabilized nylons, the lifetime of components can be significantly extended. This, along with other benefits, such as low warpage and an excellent surface appearance, make the new polyamides ideal for a range of applications, which to date have been reserved for metals or considerably more expensive high-performance thermoplastics. The initial emphasis for application developments will be on automotive engine and exterior components, although the encapsulation of sensors, electronic components, household equipment and general industry also offer great potential. This paper reviews the new material's enhanced performance characteristics compared to standard nylon products while conveying the notion of value extraction in automotive power-train components.
