DuPont Sorona® Polymer: A New Bio-Based Material fro the 21st Century Authors:
Joe Kurian - DuPont Central Research and Development, Wilmington DE, USA, Charles Park - DuPont Engineering Polymers
Abstract:
Responding to environmental, sustainability, business and market needs, DuPont has recently commercialized a new polymer platform, Sorona®, based on 1,3-propanediol (PDO). Sorona® polymer can be shaped into a variety of articles to offer unique combinations of properties. Sorona® imparts distinctive characteristics to fabrics, carpets and a vast array of other applications such as upholstery and engineering resins. Innovative Sorona® polymer technologies enable manufacturers to use their existing assets to make new, higher-value products to meet customer needs. DuPont, in partnership with Tate & Lyle PLC, will start commercial operation for the large-scale production of PDO from corn derivatives in 2006. Because corn is a renewable resource, and can be produced anywhere in the world, it enables a very competitive PDO manufacturing position. In addition to fibers, Sorona® polymer is under development for applications in automotive components, various molded products, films, and other markets. This presentation will provide an overview of the technology, commercialization status, and applications of Sorona® polymer. More information can be found at our web site: http://www.dupont.com/sorona.
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Flexible Fuel Line Hoses with High Heat Resistance to meet PZeV Requirements Author:
Rick Bell - DuPont Fluoroproducts, Troy MI, USA, J M Cho - Korea
Abstract:
The 2005 Hyundai Elantra and Kia Spectra were the first vehicles from HMC certified by CARB (California Air Resource Board) to meet PZEV (Partial Zero Emission Vehicle) requirements. These vehicles were 90% cleaner than the average 2005 model year vehicle sold in California. PZEV vehicles have near-zero evaporative emissions and their emission control equipment has a 15-year/150,000 mile warranty.
Evaporative emissions can come from several sources in the fuel system and engine compartment including permeation through polymers and elastomers and micro-leaks at connectors and seals. PZEV represents the most stringent requirements on hydrocarbon evaporative emissions in the world. The PZEV limit for evaporative emissions from fuel is 0.054 grams/SHED test. To meet this limit, most 1st generation fuel systems are all-metallic and utilize stainless steel for the fuel lines. While metal has zero permeation through it, durability issues arise with corrosion and the rigidity of the system that may allow vibrations to open up micro-leaks at the various connections during the 15 year requirement.
Having the ability to utilize flexible hose connections on a PZEV vehicle without contributing to evaporative emissions provides several advantages in addition to vibration isolation. Flexible connections can facilitate assembly, reduce weight and improve crash worthiness where components cannot leak fuel during side and rear impact tests.
This presentation will provide data on flexible hoses that are commercially used on PZEV vehicles today. The technology that enables near zero permeation is the use of a fluoropolymer barrier layer made of PTFE or FEP. The DuPont trade name for these fluoropolymers is Teflon®. These two specific grades are recognized in the industry as providing the lowest permeation characteristics of any fluoropolymer.
It is also important to note that these flexible hoses are already used on the Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima as a brake hose. Starting this year, the HMC Click, Santa Fe and Cerato will all start production using this hose for brake systems. In addition to brake systems, it can be an integral part of future fuel systems to meet cost, permeation and high temperature/pressure requirements in both gasoline and diesel fuel.
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