Automotive engineers take many things into account when they design a car - style, ergonomics, fuel economy, safety, emissions, reliability - but at the top of the list is always the total cost control impact of each component. Balancing the competing demands for high-performance and fabrication-friendly design is a fine line. More than ever before, automotive engineers and manufacturers are focused on building high quality vehicles which satisfy consumer style preferences, can be purchased at attractive price points, meet all safety requirements, and provide transportation that features the latest innovative technologies.
These demands explain why the global automotive industry frequently turns to Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP (Chevron Phillips Chemical). From headlights to door panels and alternators to seat belts, Chevron Phillips Chemical provides Tier One manufacturers, suppliers, and aftermarket vendors with innovative materials that improve vehicle competitiveness and bolster consumer satisfaction.
Chevron Phillips Chemical offers a broad portfolio of chemical derivatives that can be found in hundreds of automotive applications. Specifically, four of Chevron Phillips Chemical's best sellers are Synfluid® Polyalphaolefins, Ryton® Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS), Marlex® TPO Resins, and Marlex® Polypropylene Resins.
Synfluid® Polyalphaolefins (PAO)
PAOs are base oils, which combined with specific additives, are used by the automotive industry to create synthetic transmission fluids, gear oils and engine lubricants. Chevron Phillips Chemical PAOs are selected for their oxidative stability and low temperature viscometrics.
Synfluid® Polyalphaolefins can be found in:
- Synthetic engine lubricants such 0W, 5W and 10W crankcase oils
- Driveline lubricants (axle and gear)
- Automatic transmission fluids
- Automotive refrigeration compressor oil
- Racing oils for NASCAR, NHRA, and Formula 1 Grand Prix
- Magneto-Rheological (MR) fluid for shock absorbers
- Seat covers and other automotive fabrics required to have low-volatility
Ryton® Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS)
When it comes to manufacturing automotive parts for use in high temperature applications and exposure to corrosive fluids or mechanical stress, many manufacturers choose Ryton® PPS. This high-end engineering plastic is lighter weight than metal alternatives, and provides the ability to mold complex parts to tight tolerances plus offers insert molding characteristics that are well suited to multiple component integration.
Ryton® PPS is used in the manufacture of:
- Brake systems - ABS motor components, ABS brake pistons, booster pistons, valve bodies, sensors and vacuum pump rotors, blades, and connectors
- Coolant systems - water outlets/inlets, thermostat housings, water pump impellers, heater core end caps, extension tubes, value components
- Fuel/Induction systems - fuel flow sensors, fuel pump components, throttle bodies/deactivator, EGR components, fuel line connectors, fuel rails, injector bobbins, fuel cell applications
- Electrical systems - alternator components and housings, headlight sockets, switches, connectors, ignition components, motor brush cards, reflectors, sensors, and wire
- Powertrain/Transmission - lock-up collars, servo pistons, engine gasket carriers, seal housings, servo covers, shift cams/forks, stators, transmission pistons
Marlex® TPO Resins and Polypropylene
Phillips Sumika Polypropylene Company* is a major player in the automotive industry. Polypropylene has become a material of choice due to its inherent physical properties - stiffness, ability to withstand heat, scratch and chemical resistance, and low shatter point. Additionally, in 2003, Chevron Phillips Chemical introduced a proprietary new line of Thermoplastic Olefin Rubber (TPO) resins that are highly resistant to stress whitening and offer impressive impact resistance. These polypropylene TPOs can be found in the head and side impact parts of many of the world's best selling cars.
Marlex® TPO Resins and Polypropylene is also used in the manufacture of:
- Interior trim such as door panels, seat trim, seat backs, headrests, armrests, consoles, instrument panels, rear electrical shelf tray, airbag covers, and more. The majority of these parts are all molded in color, eliminating any costly secondary operations. Marlex® TPO Resins provide superior impact resistance allowing for the integration of energy parts for air bag deployment at the lowest system cost possible.
- Under the hood - Blow-molded clean air ducts, coolant bottles, brake reservoirs, and fender liners.
- Exterior trim such as bumper fascias, ground effects, and body side molding.
Rounding out Chevron Phillips Chemical's automotive portfolio are products such as:
- Marlex® Polyethylene, which is used in the production of HVAC air ducts, integrated washer reservoir/resonator systems, windshield washer reservoirs, brake fluid reservoirs, coolant recovery/pressure surge tanks, flexible parts such as boots and suspension dust covers, and vehicle bed liners. It is also used in air induction systems including air cleaner housings, air intake ducts, expansion chambers, and multiple resonators.
- Polysulfides are used to make engine lubricants.
- Sulfolene is used in transmission fluids and other base oil formulations.
- Ethylene goes into ethylene glycol, which is used to make antifreeze. It is also a feedstock for vinyl, which is used in seat covers and dashboards.
- Soltrol® 10 Isoparaffin is used in the production of carburetor cleaner and starting fluid.
- Cyclohexane is a feedstock for nylon. Because of its heat resistance and strength, nylon resins can be found in engine covers, air intake manifolds, rocker covers, engine timing belts, airbags, seat belts, carpeting, headliners, heating and cooling systems (fans, fan housing, radiator tanks, water expansion tanks), and other liquid reservoirs such as oil, transmission fluid, and power steering fluid.
- tert-Dodecyl Mercaptan is used to make Styrene Butadiene (SB) latex that is used to make carpert backing for the floor carpeting and Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR) which can be found in tires, belts, and hoses. It is also used to make Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) plastic that is molded into various interior parts.
- n-Dodecyl Mercaptan is used to make acrylics that are used in the production of headlight lens covers.
- Di- tert-Dodecyl Disulfide is used to make brake light covers.
- Cyclohexyl Mercaptan is used in the vulcanization process for rubber tires.
- Mercasol salt is used in the leather tanning for the interiors.
- Propylene, Butadiene and Styrene are all feedstocks for ABS resin which is used in the manufacture of headlight covers and other automotive parts.
From drawing board to test drive, Chevron Phillips Chemical's high-quality products and innovative technologies are helping the global automotive industry keep rolling.
*A joint venture between Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC and Sumitomo Chemical Company, Ltd.