PHENOLIC MOLDING COMPOUNDS
IN AUTOMOTIVE POWERTRAIN APPLICATIONS
17th Annual Automotive Composites Conference & Exhibition
September 8, 2017 – Novi, Michigan
Cedric Ball
Hexion, Inc.
Abstract
The powertrain remains one vehicle system that itself has not undergone significant
lightweighting as automakers strive to meet more stringent emission and fuel economy
standards. The average light vehicle internal combustion engine (ICE) makes up over one-third
of the total vehicle weight. Almost ninety percent of the engine’s weight is traditional iron, steel
or aluminum. The balance is a variety of rubber, glass and plastic materials. 1
High engine temperatures limit use of the most commonly available composite materials
including polyamides (nylon). However, newer grades of phenolic-based engineering thermoset
(ETS) materials / molding compounds are higher in strength, temperature and corrosion
resistance allowing for their use in an increasing number of under-the-hood and powertrain
applications. Together with smart design, automakers are converting more powertrain
components from metal to engineering thermosets for both weight and frequently cost savings
when significant post machining of metal is required to meet tight tolerances.
This paper describes selected past, present and future uses of phenolic-based engineering
thermoset materials for lightweighting of powertrain components.
Introduction
Bakelite® was the world’s first commercially produced plastic. Invented in 1909 by Dr. Leo
Baekeland, Bakelite became one of the most versatile plastics ever produced. 2 Its early uses
ranged from consumer goods (e.g. telephones, jewelry) to industrial applications (e.g. electrical
insulators, airplane propellers). Automobiles have used Bakelite molding compounds for gears,
pulleys, electrical housings and brake components since the days of Henry Ford. Phenolic-
based molding compounds fell out of favor with automotive engineers as metals and other
plastics became easier and less expensive to manufacture. More recently, ETS materials with
improved performance have been replacing steel and die cast aluminum as a way to reduce the
cost and weight of certain components. Table 1 compares the properties of older, “standard”
Bakelite grades with today’s Bakelite engineering thermoset materials designed for automotive
use. Newer ETS grades have 2-3 times the tensile strength and modulus of general purpose
molding compounds.
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Table I. Mechanical Property Comparison: ETS vs. Standard Grade Molding Compounds
Property Test Method Units BAKELITE BAKELITE® BAKELITE®
PF 31 PF 6510 PF 1110
Standard Grade Engineering Engineering
Thermoset Grade Thermoset Grade
Density ISO 1183 g/cm3 1.42 1.70 2.06
Compressive
Strength
ISO 604 MPa 250 260 325
Tensile Modulus ISO 527-1/2 MPa 7,500 16,500 29,500
Tensile Strength ISO 527-1/2 MPa 50 100 150
Elongation at
Break
ISO 527-1/2 % 0.05 – 0.25 0.05 – 0.25 0.05 – 0.25
Flexural
Modulus
ISO 178 MPa 7,500 15,500 27,000
Flexural
Strength
ISO 178 MPa 95 200 260
The main advantages of phenolic-based ETS materials include:
• Metal-like mechanical properties
• Dimensional stability at elevated temperature
• Lightweight
• Less costly versus die cast aluminum when significant machining is required
Established Automotive Uses of Phenolic-Based ETS Materials
Water Pump Housings
Water pump housings made from phenolic-based (PF) ETS materials have been in
common use as a replacement for steel and die cast aluminum since the early 2000s. ETS
materials are lighter weight, corrosion resistant and frequently less costly than potential
alternatives.3 A test of the material according to ISO 175:2011-03 examines the effects of
immersion in liquid chemicals. Figure 1 shows the effects on Bakelite grade PF 6510 immersed
in engine coolant at 120˚C. The test indicates minimal dimensional change and absorption of
less than 3% after 3000 hours.
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Test Method: ISO 175:2011-03
Figure 1. Chemical resistance of Bakelite PF 6510 in Glysantin G30 at 120°C.
Third generation EA888 VW Group water pump using Bakelite PF 6510. Over 12 million produced since 2003.
Samples shown retrieved from wrecking yard in 2016 from MY 2008, 2012 and 2014 vehicles respectively.
Figure 2. Used water pump housing collected for property testing.
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Figure 3. DMA testing of used/aged water pump housings.
DMA testing of water pump parts made with Bakelite grade PF 6510 and retrieved from
used vehicles produced in 2008, 2012, and 2014 showed very consistent performance
compared to one another. (Figure 2.) The samples maintained approximately 80% their room
temperature modulus over the tested temperature range up to 200°C. (Figure 3.)
Larger pumps and pumps with full accessory drive loads must withstand as much as 1000 N
of cantilever force on the housing under engine temperatures of 120˚C or higher. Figure 4
shows a water pump test fixture for applying a simulated pulley load. The ETS water pump
housings each withstood a 3000 N load versus the OEM specification of 400 N. (Figure 5.)
Figure 4. Water pump cantilever load test set up. (Techniplas)
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Load Requirement: 411.4 N
Figure 5. Water pump cantilever load test results versus OEM requirement. (Techniplas)
Thermoplastic materials are more susceptible to creep and fatigue failure based on property
comparison shown in Figures 6 and 7. Finally, when comparing weight and cost, water pump
housings can weigh 30% less and cost 10% less that their aluminum counterparts. (Figure 8.)
Test Method: ISO 899-1
Figure 6. Comparison of creep strain at 120˚C.
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Test Method: ISO 527-2
Figure 7. Comparison of fatigue strength property retention.
Part Weight
Tooling
Production
Direct Materials
*Results for a given application may vary. However,
example is typical savings compared with cast aluminum
part requiring significant post machining.
Figure 8. Part weight and cost comparison between PF ETS material and cast aluminum water pump housing.
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Pulleys
Pulleys are mostly in compressive loading as they operate which makes them excellent
candidates for taking advantage of the compressive strength of ETS material. Spinning at up to
10,000 RPM, typical engine pulleys for alternators and water pumps see loads of 400 N – 1000
N at underhood temperatures of up to 200˚C. As with water pump housings, creep and fatigue
are important for pulleys as they are subjected to the engine belt loads. Attempts have been
made to use thermoplastic material for engine pulleys. However, thermoplastic pulleys can
develop irregular shapes or flat spots due to internal friction and swelling stress. Reducing the
mass of the pulley system reduces the rotational energy required by the engine contributing to
improved fuel efficiency. (Figure 9.)
Figure 9. Lighter PF ETS multi-V pulleys replace heavier metal pulleys on accessory drive systems.
Advanced Uses of Phenolic-Based ETS Materials
Cam Carrier Assembly
The rediscovery of phenolic molding compounds to reduce weight has led some auto
makers to try more ambitious uses of the material. An impressive example is Ford’s MMLV 1.0
liter composite cam carrier.4,5 Supported by U.S. Department of Energy research funding, this
project replaced a portion of the engine head assembly made of cast aluminum with a Bakelite
PF 1110 composite material. The composite version of the part saved 3.7 lbs. - 30% less that
the part if it were made from aluminum and 15% off the overall assembly. In production, the
part would be injection molded saving significant cost over the extensive machining required of
the aluminum assembly. The part passed durability testing and showed improvement to engine
noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) performance. (Figure 10.)
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Figure 10. Ford Motor Company MMLV cam carrier made with PF 1110-CF engineering thermoset material.
Fascia Integrated Exhaust Components
For most passenger cars tailpipe exhaust temperatures range between 200˚C - 220˚C with
excursions up to 1000˚F under certain driving conditions. Vehicle designers have been using
exhaust tips and fascia integrated exhaust ports to enhance the styling of their cars and trucks.
(Figure 11.) Many engineers assume that these components must be metal. So, most current
designs are expensive multi-piece weldments or die cast components that require anti-
corrosion treatments. Due to the temperature, corrosion and fire resistant properties of
phenolics, these exhaust components can be net shape molded at lower weight and much
lower cost than either stamped metal or die cast components. Using a laboratory test set up
(Figure 12), Figure 13 shows a virgin sample of Bakelite PF 1110 material before and after
being subjected to 1000˚F for 20 minutes. Figure 14 shows a high temperature nylon sample
(also considered for the application) after being subjected to the same conditions.
Figure 11. Fascia-integrated exhaust components can make use of high temperature
resistant PF-based ETS materials.
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Hot Air Flow
Plaque
Sample
Thermocouple
Figure 12. Lab Configuration for High Temperature Air Flow Testing
Sample After 20 minutes
Untested Sample
at 1000°F - 60° Incline
Figure 13. Untested (Before) and Tested (After) Sample Plaques: After 20 minutes at 1000°F, 60° Incline
Figure 14. Polyamide material (also considered for application): After 20 minutes at 1000°F, 60° Incline
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Future Uses of Phenolic-Based ETS Materials: The Composite Engine
The concept of a composite internal combustion engine is not new. The “Polimotor” is
credited with being the first plastic engine. Versions of this engine used epoxy resin as well as
earlier formulations of Bakelite molding compound.6 Although this engine demonstrated the
engineering viability of the concept, challenges remained as to how to produce composite
engines at a rate and cost sufficient to support mass production.
Three decades later, it is fully possible to produce the major components of a composite
engine such as the block and head from composite materials. A single large automated
injection molding machine would replace a plethora of infrastructure needed to make the large
engine castings of today. Net shape molding would eliminate most machining steps.
Improvements in physical property characteristics of phenolic based ETS make it possible to
meet much more demanding requirements as demonstrated by the Ford MMLV cam carrier and
other industry projects.
Conclusion
The internal combustion engine will continue to power automobiles for decades to come.
They will become more efficient and less polluting to the environment. ETS molding
compounds will play a key role in reducing the weight of ICEs for those applications where the
temperature environment exceeds the capability of engineering thermoplastics such as
polyamides, PPA and PPS, but are not so hot that metals are required. This is usually a
continuous operating temperature range between 100°C – 200°C. The benefits are lighter
weight and frequently lower cost when net shape molding can replace machining and post
treatment steps. Phenolic-based engineering thermosets are a proven solution whose
characteristics deserve a closer look for metal replacement.
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References
1. Lotus Engineering Inc., “An Assessment of Mass Reduction Opportunities for a 2017 - 2020 Model
Year Vehicle Program,” March 2010, p 236.
2. American Chemical Society, “Leo Hendrick Baekeland and the Invention of Bakelite,”
https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/education/whatischemistry/landmarks/bakelite.html
3. Bayerl, F., ter Heide, S., and Ball, C., "Recent Case Studies of Engineering Thermosets for Under the
Hood Applications," SAE Technical Paper 2013-01-1392, 2013, doi:10.4271/2013-01-1392.
4. Corey, N., Madin, M., and Williams, R., "MMLV: Carbon Fiber Composite Engine Parts," SAE
Technical Paper 2015-01-1239, 2015, doi:10.4271/2015-01-1239.
5. Byrd, Kevin, and Bob Fascetti, “Blue Oval Fireside Chat – EcoBoost,” 2016 North American
International Auto Show, Detroit, MI. https://www.at.ford.com/en/homepage/news-and-
clipsheet/regional/videos/2016/1/blue-oval-fireside-chat--ecoboost.html
6. Wikipedia, “Plastic automotive engine,” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plastic_automotive_engine.
Acknowledgements
Hexion Inc.
Automotive and Phenolic Specialty Resin Teams
Ford Motor Company
Techniplas
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