Solvay's new corrugated tubing technology allows greater light-weighting potential

Ryton^® PPS replaces metal and rubber in automotive thermal management systems

Brussels, April 1, 2021 -- Solvay and Maincor Rohrsysteme GmbH & Co. KG pioneer a technique to manufacture a more flexible, extruded corrugated tubing with varying wall thicknesses and diameters. This advance will help meet new thermal management design challenges stemming from combining internal combustion engine (ICE) and e-mobility technologies including batteries, e-motors, and power electronics.

This follows the successful introduction of Solvay’s Ryton® PPS mono-layer extrusion grade Ryton^® XE3500BL, a high-performance resin now fully optimized for the production of corrugated tubing and commercially available worldwide. Leading automotive OEMs have specified this durable, lightweight material to replace heavier and bulkier rubber tubing/metal clamp systems to develop more flexible and agile solutions for fluid delivery lines.

“The trend for engine downsizing puts pressure on auto engineers seeking room to install ever complex thermal management assembly systems as components compete for space in the engine bay,” said Brian Baleno, Head of Marketing-Transportation at Solvay Specialty Polymers. “Corrugated tubing made from Ryton^® PPS will significantly broaden the range of under-the-hood thermal management applications such as turbocharger exhaust gas recirculation circuits and ventilation and vacuum lines for fuel tanks, engine housings and crankcase conveying vapor, gases or condensates.”

Solvay’s Ryton^® PPS has remarkable thermal stability up to 200°C (392°F), exceptional dimensional stability even at elevated temperatures and in harsh environments, mechanical strength, ductility, toughness, superior chemical resistance and is inherently flame retardant. 

“Developing a successful process to manufacture corrugated tubing from Solvay’s Ryton^® PPS demonstrates Maincor’s processing knowledge and technical expertise,” said Manuel Zink, Head of Sales Automotive / Home Appliances and Special Applications at Maincor Rohrsysteme GmbH. “We worked closely with Solvay to improve weight savings and production efficiencies and to reduce costs. Post-extrusion thermoforming trials using XYZ coordinate axis ensured optimizing tube geometries to fit available space in engine bays for time-saving component assembly.”

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About Solvay

Solvay is a science company whose technologies bring benefits to many aspects of daily life. With more than 24,100 employees in 64 countries, Solvay bonds people, ideas and elements to reinvent progress. The Group seeks to create sustainable shared value for all, notably through its Solvay ONE Planet plan crafted around three pillars: protecting the climate, preserving resources and fostering better life. The Group’s innovative solutions contribute to safer, cleaner, and more sustainable products found in homes, food and consumer goods, planes, cars, batteries, smart devices, health care applications, water and air purification systems. Founded in 1863, Solvay today ranks among the world’s top three companies for the vast majority of its activities and delivered net sales of €10.2 billion in 2019. Solvay is listed on Euronext Brussels (SOLB) and Paris and in the United States, where its shares (SOLVY) are traded through a Level I ADR program. Learn more at www.solvay.com.

About Maincor

MAINCOR Rohrsysteme is a German pipe manufacturer based in Schweinfurt with 325 employees and a deep know-how in the production of plastic pipes for industrial solutions. MAINCOR develops and manufactures components for the automotive industry that are specifically adapted to your requirements. As a competent manufacturer and development partner we assist from the initial idea to the finished assembled component. The issues cost & weight optimization, optimum use of available space, chemical resistance, flexibility regarding implementation, as well as compliance with legal provisions are of particular importance to us.