| A leading global tier-one
steering gear producer is singing the praises of Zeotherm
thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) for
its ability to reduce system part costs for exclusion dust seals.
By utilising Zeotherm TPVs for its steering
gear dust seal, the tier-one was able to meet the 150°C end-use requirement, while also
reducing costs by eliminating the use of a costly heat shield that had
been made necessary due to the heat limitations of the incumbent TPV. The new part using Zeotherm TPVs is currently
in commercial use on a 2005MY European passenger car.
Over the years, the steering gear producer had found that increasing
underhood temperatures placed limitations on the conventional material
options (olefinic-based TPVs or chloroprene rubber) for dust seals. As temperatures exceeded 135°C for any duration during activities
such as stop-and-go traffic, hill climbing or trailer pulling, the conventional
materials failed. The company
began using metal heat shields as a solution, but with an additional assembly
step and a high price. What it really needed was a better, less costly
way of meeting the requirements.
Zeotherm TPVs were the perfect answer. They raised the bar and offered
improved heat and grease resistance necessary for optimal performance.
Both lab testing and on-vehicle validation by the European OEM found Zeotherm
TPVs to resist 150°C
sustained temperatures in excess of 3,000 hours and spike temperatures
to 175°C. The
outcome was that Zeotherm TPVs not only met, but actually exceeded the
requirements of the application, allowing production of an exclusion dust
seal that no longer required heat shield protection. As an added benefit,
the tier-one was able to utilise the existing tooling, resulting in a
reduced system part cost and a win-win situation for both companies.
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