See Product Details

Flame Retardant Grade of AMODEL® PPA Selected by Kim Hotstart for New Engine Coolant Heater

First commercial use in North America of AMODEL FR-4133 polyphthalamide A grade of AMODEL® polyphthalamide (PPA) has been selected by engineers at Kim Hotstart for use in the newest addition to its line of engine coolant heaters. This application is the first commercial use in North America of AMODEL FR-4133 material, one of a new generation of flame retardant PPA resins introduced by Solvay Advanced Polymers.

Kim Hotstart's new product is a tank-style engine coolant heater that is designed for use on smaller, water-cooled reciprocating engines − up to 4 cylinders and 2.5 liters in displacement. Typical applications would be on small construction or excavation equipment that operates in a cold-weather environment. Preheating an engine extends its life, reducing engine wear caused by cold starts with sluggish lubricant. Temperature, strength, and processing advantages A cover and an end-cap, injection molded of AMODEL FR-4133 resin, completely enclose the heater's electrical components. This innovative grade of PPA was selected for the application because of its excellent temperature performance as well as its good tensile strength. "In addition," points out Joe Gaylord, the product's design engineer, "we can use water-cooled molds for this part, with much lower temperatures, which reduces mold maintenance, relative to the oil-cooled process required by the PPS material we use for a similar product. The AMODEL resin has very similar properties to the PPS, but there are cost and processing advantages."

AMODEL FR-4133 is a 33% glass-reinforced PPA material intended for electrical and electronic applications. In this heater application, its UL94-V0 rating provides a margin of safety against possible loss of fluid. In testing, the part has been run dry without damage to the AMODEL housing. The heater also incorporates a thermal fuse that interrupts current flow to prevent excessive temperature rise.

With a heat-deflection temperature of 574°F (301°C), this AMODEL material can easily withstand the 180°F coolant temperature it sees, either during the pre-heating operation or when the engine is running.

Kim Hotstart's new heater is a compact, lightweight, in-line design that does not require rigid mounting to the engine or vehicle frame. The heater operates on the principal of a thermal siphon (heated coolant circulates by convection from a low point in the water jacket to a return higher on the engine's block or cylinder head). So the exposed heater depends on the strength of the material, both to prevent damage from elements in the operating environment and to maintain the integrity of the hose attachments by which it is suspended. With a tensile strength of 28.9 kpsi (199 MPa), AMODEL FR-4133 PPA is more than equal to the task.

The key processing consideration in Kim Hotstart's selection of AMODEL FR-4133 was its quick crystallization in water-cooled molds. This allows for fast cycle times using mold temperatures as low as 150°F. In addition, the housing and end cap can be ultrasonically welded together. An opening designed into the interface clamps the heater's electric cord tightly enough to provide strain relief, protecting the internal electrical connections. About Solvay Advanced Polymers

Solvay Advanced Polymers, L.L.C., is an indirect subsidiary of Solvay America, Inc., the U.S. holding company of Solvay S.A. The company produces high-performance polymers that are used in a wide range of demanding applications in the automotive, aerospace, industrial, food service, medical and electronics industries worldwide. Solvay Advanced Polymers products include IXEF® polyarylamide and PRIMEF® polyphenylene sulfide product lines of Solvay S.A. combined with a portfolio of materials that had comprised BP Amoco's engineering resins business. For more information about this and other Solvay Advanced Polymers products and services, please visit our website: www.solvayadvancedpolymers.com.

SOLVAY is an international chemical and pharmaceutical Group with headquarters in Brussels. It employs more than 30,000 people in 50 countries. In 2002, its consolidated sales amounted to EUR 7.9 billion, generated by its four sectors of activity: Chemicals, Plastics, Processing, and Pharmaceuticals. Solvay is listed in the Euronext 100 index of top European companies. For further information please see www.solvay.com. About Kim Hotstart

Since 1942, Kim Hotstart Manufacturing has been an industry leader in engine preheaters and accessories. The company's primary business is the design and manufacture of electric heaters for engines and related applications, such as fuel tanks and hydraulic power units. At its modern 80,000 square-foot facility in Spokane, Washington, Kim Hotstart uses the latest technology to design, build, and test electric heaters that are shipped worldwide. The company supplies heaters in any voltage from 12 volt DC to 600 volt, single or three-phase, at 50 or 60 Hz. Kim Hotstart products successfully heat vehicle and stationary engines from 100 CID to very large units that use as much as 2,500 gallons of oil for lubrication. More information about the company and its products can be found at www.kimhotstart.com.