“This is significant because a key priority today for automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) is weight reduction to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions,” said Keith J. Smith, vice president and general manager – DuPont Engineering Polymers.
The new Golf catalytic converter bracket, which experiences temperatures up to 175 degrees Celsius due to its proximity to the engine, was previously a complex metal/rubber part which required multiple assembly steps. The new component is a claimed global first, as a metal to plastics transition had not been attempted for parts such as these, which must withstand dynamic forces, chemical exposure and high temperatures.
In addition to the nearly 50% weight reduction, the new all-plastic design also makes possible more efficient, one-step assembly, DuPont says.