Royal DSM, a global science-based company active in health, nutrition and materials, has announced that a special lubricated grade of its Stanyl polyamide 46 has been chosen for low-friction slide shoes within the timing system on a new generation of energy-efficient turbocharged petrol engines.

The new energy-efficient turbocharged petrol engines make substantial use of the technological expertise that it has built up in recent years in Formula One car racing, and they represent the latest state of the art in engine downsizing. They offer an optimised combination of drivability and fuel consumption, with significantly lower CO2 emissions, despite their higher power, according to a press release.

Stanyl PA46 is already widely used in engine components, owing to its ability to withstand the highly demanding conditions found in this slide shoe, which include high temperatures, high loads, high velocities, harsh chemical environment and heavy vibrations. It has excellent wear and abrasion resistance and outperforms most other thermoplastics under most conditions - but especially at higher temperatures and high torque/loads.

DSM worked very closely with Tsubakimoto, a subsidiary of the global Tsubaki Group, a leader in automotive timing chain system, and moulding company Quadrant Creative Moulding & Systems, to ensure that Stanyl TW371 meets all performance and manufacturing criteria. Quadrant CMS carried out several moulding trials to optimise the moulding process and Tsubakimoto carried out a number of validation and performance tests. The new grade will help to meet gas (carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides) and particulate emission targets under the Euro 6 standard, which came into force in September 2014. (GK)