Ticona Engineering Polymers Improve New Electronic Accelerator Pedal
Celstran® LFRT, Hostaform® POM and Celanex® PBT
Used in Five Key Components
Florence, Ky., Nov. 7, 2007 - Three Ticona engineering polymers, Celstran® LFRT, Hostaform® POM (acetal copolymer) and Celanex® PBT, help an electronic accelerator pedal produced by Hella to increase safety and comfort and reduce energy consumption and CO2 emission in the MINI COOPER and other vehicles.
"In today's modern engine management systems, the accelerator pedal transmitter is crucially important," explains Michael Hörr, project manager for automotive interiors at Ticona Engineering Polymers.
The accelerator pedal sensors are used to detect the pedal position and produce pedal force feedback. Component supplier Hella was the first manufacturer to develop integrated electronic accelerator pedal sensors for diesel and gasoline engines. The sensors are installed in cars with drive-by-wire systems and electric vehicles. The accelerator pedal sensors are designed to enable both the accelerator pedal and the systems for pedal force feedback and signal generation to be combined in a single modular unit.
Since this unit controls the engine response according to the specific situation in a far more sensitive way, it enables reduced fuel consumption and CO2 emission.
The following three engineering thermoplastics from Ticona are used in five key components of the pedal to improve the operation of this drive-by-wire technology:
o Celstran LFRT ensures light component weight coupled with high strength in the pedal
plate and housing. This material's high dimensional stability and insensitivity to moisture and temperature, coupled with its very good mechanical properties, enable the pressure impulses of the driver's foot to be sensed very precisely, which ensures smooth and sensitive acceleration.
o Celanex (2300 GV 1/30) protects the sensitive sensor housing with its high stiffness, excellent dimensional stability and good electrical and dielectric properties, which are unaffected by the expected range of temperature and moisture.
o Hostaform POM helps in the mechanical sliding elements of the pedal with special friction and wear characteristics of the tribologically modified polyacetal copolymer. Hostaform XAP for automotive interiors also ensures compliance with the emission requirements.
"Throughout the car's lifetime, there will be no unpleasant noises from the accelerator pedal. In addition, Hostaform and Celstran resins meet automotive manufacturers' vehicle interior emission requirements," says Hörr.
For more information
For information on Celstran® LFRT, Hostaform® POM and Celanex® PBT, contact: Ticona, 8040 Dixie Highway Florence, KY 41042, USA. Phone: 800-833-4882. Email: prodinfo@ticona.com. In Europe: Ticona GmbH, Professor-Staudinger-Straße, D-65451 Kelsterbach, Germany. Phone: +49-(0)180-584-2662 (DE) or +49-(0)693-051-6299 (EU). Email: infoservice@ticona.de. Or visit: www.ticona.com.
About Ticona and Celanese
Ticona, the engineering polymers business of Celanese Corporation, produces and markets a broad range of high performance products , and achieved net sales of $915 million in 2006. Ticona employs approximately 2,000 individuals at production, compounding and research facilities in the USA, Germany and Brazil. For more information, please visit www.ticona.com.
As a global leader in the chemicals industry, Celanese Corporation makes products essential to everyday living. Our products, found in consumer and industrial applications, are manufactured in North America, Europe and Asia. Net sales totaled $6.7 billion in 2006, with over 60% generated outside of North America. Known for operational excellence and execution of its business strategies, Celanese delivers value to customers around the globe with innovations and best-in-class technologies. Based in Dallas, Texas, the company employs approximately 8,900 employees worldwide. For more information on Celanese Corporation, please visit the company's website at www.celanese.com.
# # #
Except as otherwise noted, all registered trademarks are owned by Ticona or its affiliates. MINI is a registered trademark of MINI, a division of BMW.
