As environmental and weight-saving regulations have become more stringent, Fluon® AH-ETFE resins from AGC Chemicals Americas Inc. are the solution to many automotive component construction challenges. Adhesive Fluon AH-ETFE resins, which chemically adhere to dissimilar materials, reduce weight and eliminate tie layers in multi-layer hose constructions. AH-ETFE compounds also enable hose line constructions to meet more strict emission standards because they have low fuel permeation rates.

Fluon ETFE AH-600, 700 and 800 resins are ideal for constructions that require unsurpassed conductivity levels, chemical and permeation resistance, and protection against static buildup. When manufactured with Fluon AH-ETFE, automotive components such as liquid and vapor fuel lines, compressor hoses, fuel tanks and filler necks exhibit outstanding performance in any construction.

AGC product and development engineer Katie Sprick will discuss these and other benefits of Fluon AH-ETFE in her presentation “Functionalized Fluoropolymers for Automotive Applications” at 4:45 p.m. on March 2 at the ITB Automotive Energy Storage Systems Conference.

“These adhesive ETFE compounds yield fuel permeation rates as low as .40 g mm2/m2 day for alcohol fuel content up to 100 percent ethanol,” Sprick said. “They improve the durability and performance of components used in automotive, as well as chemical and industrial, applications.”

Fluon ETFE is a melt processable copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and ethylene. AH-600 series products produce a lower melting compound that offers customers a wider process window and better compatibility with polyamide nylons for co-extrusion. AH-700 series products balance performance and economics. The AH-800 series of products has a higher upper-end temperature rating (approaching 200 °C) and improved resistance to stress cracks at elevated temperatures.