Automotive Thermoplastics for lightweight steering-column module

摘要

Automotive supplier Valeo is producing a top column module whose housing and levers are made of BASF's Ultramid polyamide (PA) and Ultradur polybutylene terephthalate (PBT). BASF of Ludwigshafen, Germany, says that the module - used by BMW for the rear-wheel drive versions of its 3 to 7 Series - is around 20% lighter than the previous model and benefits from the good surface finish, resistance to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and mechanical properties of its materials.