PEEK-molding-compound - China-LLDPE 08-02-2022 • Polyestertime

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PEEK-molding-compound – China-LLDPE

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-PEEK Replaces Metal in Auto Transmission Gears

Advanced engineering plastic enables noise reduction in engine oil–contact applications that reach temperatures of 130°C.

Plastic gears molded of Vestakeep polyetheretherketone (PEEK) from Evonik are being used in automobile transmissions reportedly for the first time. To replace metal gears, Evonik developed a PEEK molding compound with the tribological properties and durability that can withstand the harsh environment of internal combustion engines. The component is manufactured by IMS Gear SE & Co KGaA and is used by Mercedes-Benz AG in various models. PEEK-molding-compound – China-LLDPE

Mass balancers ensure the smooth running of an internal combustion engine by reducing the vibrations caused by pistons on surrounding structures. Mass balancer gears come into contact with engine oils and, therefore, are exposed to temperatures up to 130°C. Until now, only metal gears have been used in this environment.

With Vestakeep PEEK 5000 G, Evonik offers a high-resistance and high-performance material to replace these metal gears. In addition to the required vibration damping, plastic gears offer high mechanical and tribological stress resistance. Compared with conventional metal gears, they have lower friction losses and are significantly quieter. Further, the lower mass moment of inertia conserves energy. Finally, gears made of Vestakeep PEEK are manufactured cost-efficiently by injection molding and eliminate the extensive rework needed when using metal.

With the use of its own gear testing rig, Evonik supports development activities via close coordination with the customer. “We can generate specific material data that can be used to optimally design the gears made of our high-performance plastics,” said Philipp Kilian, Head of Tribology Development High Performance Polymers at Evonik. “We can test in a temperature range from -20° to 260°C, both in dry and lubricated conditions.” PEEK-molding-compound – China-LLDPE

PEEK-molding-compound - China-LLDPE

-China’s LLDPE market: final review for 2021 and further outlook for this year

See below my review of China’s linear-low density polyethylene (LLDPE) market in 2021 with some further thoughts about what could happen during the rest of this year. This follows my earlier reviews and outlooks for high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP). I shall complete the series next week when l will cover low density polyethylene (LDPE). PEEK-molding-compound – China-LLDPE

CHINA’S LLDPE demand grew by just 1% in 2021 over the previous year, I believe. This would be the third-lowest rate of growth since 2000.

My latest forecast is slightly better than my earlier expectations of flat or zero growth. But 1% growth is against other forecasts of around 8%.

Last year was always going to see a growth deceleration because 2020 was a “bubble year”.

During 2020, China exported itself into a strong recovery from the pandemic as it provided most of the goods the West wanted or needed during lockdowns. This led to LLDPE demand in 2020 rising by 13% over 2019.

What also contributed to the 2021 slowdown from August onwards was the Common Prosperity policy shift. PEEK-molding-compound – China-LLDPE

This involved a deflation of the property bubble, leading to less LLDPE demand linked to real estate. Think of all the packaging for the carpets and washing machines etc that furnish new homes that were no longer required as home sales fell.

Also consider the decline in discretionary consumer spending as the growth in personal wealth slowed down due to the government’s deleveraging of real estate. Less discretionary spending again led to less demand for LLPDE used for packaging.

China introduced new restrictions on the use of single-use plastics in early February 2020, just before the pandemic. PEEK-molding-compound – China-LLDPE

PEEK-molding-compound - China-LLDPE