Home / News / BASF’s Ultramid polyamide used in thermoplastic oil tank

BASF's Ultramid polyamide used in thermoplastic oil tank

09 Oct '15

2 min read

Ultramid A3WG7, a BASF polyamide 66 with 35 per cent glass fibre reinforcement which is resistant to oil and thermal aging, is used to make the reservoir of 2.6 kg for the world's first thermoplastic oil tank for dry sump engines, developed by Hummel-Formen, a brand by ElringKlinger AG at Lenningen, Germany.

The tank is 59 per cent lighter than previous steel or aluminium welding constructions and has an improved, multi-functional oil separation system which is integrated in the tank. The complex plastic component is used in the new Mercedes-AMG GT, which has been available since spring 2015 and is the second car that AMG has developed itself.

The oil reservoir comprises ten different, injection-moulded polyamide parts, which are joined together with 13 further elements like sensors, sieves, covers, and screws to form one component. This is done by vibration welding and various snap-in mechanisms. By optimally using the available space, a lot of different functions could be integrated.

Apart from the mere storage of the oil, the component deals with the ventilation of the crankcase including the oil separation, makes possible the filling and changing of the oil as well as controlling the oil level and its quality. Furthermore, it also slows down and roughly filters the incoming oil, according to a press release.

The Ultramid used shows high resistance to oil and corrosion, is thermally stable up to 180°C, and contributes to a favourable vibration and acoustic behaviour because of its high damping and stiffness. This means that the plastic oil tank is considerably quieter than metallic versions. The tried-and-tested PA66 also displays the rigidity required for this application and necessary to withstand the requested burst pressures.

In contrast to pressure lubrication, which is normally used in car engines and works with an oil pan, dry sump lubrication originates from motor racing. This is where the oil pan is replaced as oil reservoir by a separate tank, which has a tall and narrow design. The oil tank is configured so that the pressure oil pump is always able to reliably suck in the oil even in extreme driving situations, such as driving around bends at high speed or heavy braking. (GK)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India

More BASF News...