Groups recognized for sustainable innovation in the Power Train Auto category
of RadiciGroup High Performance Polymers
An air intake manifold made of 100% Renycle, the RadiciGroup brand identifying engineering polymers obtained from recycled nylon: this application was recognized with the prestigious award in the Power Train category by the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) at the 22nd SPE Automotive Awards on 28 June.
The air intake manifold is a high technology application typical of the automotive sector, where glass-fibre reinforced nylon has, over the years, almost completely replaced metals. RadiciGroup supplies both PA6-FV and PA66-FV polymers for various engines of motor vehicles worldwide. In this particular case, however, the challenge was to use a 100% mechanically recycled polyamide material, the result of a careful process involving the selection, cleaning and control of raw materials to ensure very high quality consistency.
This component, which was designed and manufactured by Marelli, must meet stringent performance requirements: high burst pressure, pressure pulsation and prolonged vibration tests subjected to thermal cycles, thermal shocks, etc. Particular attention was paid to NVH (Noise Vibration Harshness) analysis with the aim of ensuring, among other things, acoustic performance in line with the other materials used today.
In developing the recycled material Renycle, RadiciGroup not only worked to optimize the performance, keeping in mind the specific requirements of the air intake manifold application (mechanical and thermal performance, etc.), but also sought to maximize the environmental benefits. Indeed, a more than 70 percent reduction in CO2 emissions, measured according to the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology, was achieved compared to the equivalent fossil source material.
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