With ever-improving technologies employed in automotive fuel injection systems, many new materials, specifically high performance engineering thermoplastics, are being utilized by automotive part manufacturers. This paper will focus on several key requirements of the automotive fuel system and will detail a variety of thermoplastic compounds which are being used to address these needs.
The intent of the paper is to present material technology which addresses key issues facing the Automotive Industry in designing fuel delivery systems.
With ever increasing governmental, environmental and consumer demands such as Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE), emission/permeability, and extended warranty respectively, automotive OEM's and Tier 1 suppliers are changing the fuel system requirements and materials. No longer is metal tubing and rubber hose capable or acceptable in every circumstance.
As these changes occur, new issues like static generation, permeability and dimensional control exist. Dealing with these is critical to the wide spread use of thermoplastic materials to these applications.