As petroleum prices experience record volatility, automotive OEMs are seeking advanced materials that permit the development of more light weight, fuel efficient vehicles. Thermoplastics are a natural solution since they provide the combination of structural properties with lower material density, along with ease of forming geometrically complicated parts with rapid cycles and with minimal finishing operations. However, new automotive applications are becoming increasingly demanding with regard to chemical exposure, environmental exposure, thermal environment, and load bearing requirements. Addressing these challenges requires a thorough understanding of the application in order to identify appropriate thermoplastic resins and to develop novel resin technologies to extend the performance of structural engineering thermoplastics.
Herein, the authors review existing nylon 6,6, nylon 6, and polyphthalamide (PPA) technologies, laying the foundation for new resin innovations that may expand the design windows for engineers utilizing polyamide and PPA structural engineering thermoplastics. In particular, this paper investigates the effects of automotive coolant and engine oil exposure along with mechanical properties at elevated temperatures.