Electric vehicle batteries prove fertile ground for engineering plastics

Resin supplier LANXESS and South Korean auto parts maker Infac have jointly developed a battery module housing for electric vehicles
.

The battery housing is made of glass fiber-reinforced PA6 from LANXESS to meet the stringent mechanical and chemical performance requirements of the latest electric vehicle components
.
The halogen-free Durthan grade BKV30FN04 is characterized by its flame retardancy and electrical properties
.
In addition, the material is highly machinable and enables the integration of complex functions required for housing components, thereby reducing the number of parts, simplifying the assembly process, and reducing weight
.

A new battery housing part has been adopted into mass production of an electric model launched this year by a Korean OEM
.
“The success of the series production of battery housings demonstrates LANXESS Durethan’s excellence in the field of electric vehicle batteries, where technology and safety are paramount,” said Milan Vignjevic, head of the LANXESS High Performance Materials (HPM) business unit Asia Pacific.
Our high-performance plastics will make a significant contribution to the electric vehicle and battery markets
.
"

Shock absorption and thermal management are critical for battery module enclosures to protect batteries from external shocks
.
Durethan BKV30FN04 is not only mechanically strong, but also has high-voltage insulation, can withstand 800V voltage, and can effectively block high-voltage current
.
It has strong flame retardant properties and can prevent or delay the spread of flames in the event of a fire
.
Furthermore, the durability of glass fiber reinforced Durethan BKV30FN04 to mechanical loads is better than that of unfilled PA6
.

In addition, it retains excellent strength and stiffness when in contact with electrolyte or cooling media, and has chemical resistance that inhibits chemical-induced damage
.

LANXESS engineering plastics can be used in a range of battery components, including battery covers, high-voltage connectors, cable holders, pipes for battery cooling systems, and parts for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, such as hydrogen storage tanks
.
It can also replace metal in various components, enabling lightweight designs
.
It allows for the production of multiple functional parts in a single process, a driving force behind the continued growth in market demand for next-generation vehicles
.

Infac is a Korean auto parts manufacturer specializing in automotive control cables, actuators, antennas and battery packs
.
Founded in 1969, Infac has 17 factories in Korea, the United States, Mexico, China, Czech Republic, India and Vietnam
.