Automotive

Automotive

Automotive Industry Description

The modern automobile is constructed of many interrelated systems. Each of these systems has a different function, and is necessary for the proper and safe function of the automobile as a whole. Each of these systems makes use of numerous rubber-based and elastomer products.

Elastomer Usage in the Automotive Industry

The main systems of an automobile include the engine, fuel, exhaust, cooling, lubrication, transmission, powertrain, axle, steering, braking, electronics, suspension, air conditioning & heating, and chassis (including the body, wheels and tires). Each of these systems is found in practically every motor vehicle, and each of these systems is designed to interact with and support each other. All of these systems make use of many rubber and elastomer products.

Techno-Ad Solutions

Techno-Ad has been supplying the Automotive Industry with quality rubber products for many decades. Our products meet and European and United States standards. We are well-known in the field for our expertise and experience.

 

Our stock includes:

  • Elastomer parts for all of the varied systems which make up the modern automobile (engine, fuel, exhaust, cooling, lubrication, transmission, powertrain, axle, steering, braking, electronics, suspension, air conditioning & heating, and chassis).
  • A wide range of elastomers of different hardness (EPDM, NBR, etc.)
  • A large selection of standard and non-standard O-rings
  • Diaphragms and seals of various materials exhibiting:
    • Resistance to fuels, oils, and various automobile fluids
    • Stability in extremes of temperature and humidity
    • Stability in extremes of torque and hydraulic pressure
    • Chemical inertness

 

We can produce custom-shaped molded parts based on customer designs using specialized compounds custom-designed for specific operating conditions. We have extensive experience in engineering custom solutions using many different manufacturing technologies. Whether you are creating a new design or are re-engineering existing technologies, Techno-Ad can work with you from idea to prototype to production with a very short lead time.

Automotive Industry Requirements

Each of the individual systems that are part of the modern automobile contains numerous rubber-based and elastomer parts. Each of these parts must be designed and manufactured in accordance to the specifications of the needed function within that particular system. Examples of the systems and of the rubber or elastomer parts that are essential for that system include:

The Engine

The automobile engine produces the energy needed to propel the vehicle. This energy can be produced by the conversion of fuels such as gasoline or diesel, or from electrical charge stored in batteries, to mechanical energy. Most commonly, pressure from a process of internal combustion of the fuel is directly applied to mechanical parts, causing those mechanical parts to move. That movement is transferred through the transmission to the powertrain system, eventually powering the movement of the wheels.

Elastomers used in automobile engines must exhibit stability to high temperatures and pressures, and to exposure to fuels and oils.

Some rubber-based and elastomer parts commonly used in automobile engine systems:

  • Diaphragms
  • Engine mounts

Gasoline and diesel engine seals and gaskets:

  • Head gaskets
  • Hoses
  • Manifold gaskets
  • O-rings

Fuel and Emission Systems

The fuel system contains a tank for the storage of fuel, pipes, pumps, filters, and injectors or a carburetor to control the mixture of fuel and air necessary for proper combustion. The emission system functions to vent the burnt gases coming from the combustion chamber to the outside. A typical automobile emission system includes an exhaust manifold, pipes, a catalytic converter (which reduces harmful emissions of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere), and a muffler (to reduce noise emissions).

Elastomers used in automobile fuel and emission systems must exhibit tolerance to high temperatures and exposure to fuels, oils, and corrosive gases.

Some rubber-based and elastomer parts commonly used in automobile fuel and emission systems:

  • Ball valve seals
  • Carburetor fuel inlet seat gaskets
  • Emission control valve seals
  • Exhaust hangers
  • Fuel cap seals
  • Fuel injection seals
  • Fuel pump diaphragms
  • Fuel pump seals
  • Fuel seals
  • Hoses
  • O-rings
  • Washers

Engine Cooling Systems

The controlled burning of the fuel in an internal combustion engine produces a lot of heat as a by-product. If the engine is not cooled, it will be destroyed by the heat. Some automobiles have air-cooled engines, where high volumes of outside air are forced over the engine, which is designed to have a large exterior surface area for heat dissipation. Most modern automobiles have liquid-cooled engines, typically a closed circulatory system consisting of passages inside the engine block and heads, a water pump to circulate the liquid coolant, a thermostat to control the temperature of the coolant, a radiator to cool the coolant, a radiator cap to control the pressure in the system, and interconnecting hoses to transfer the coolant between the engine and the radiator.

Elastomers used in automobile engine cooling systems must exhibit tolerance to high temperatures and exposure to fuels, oils, and cooling fluid (usually a mixture including ethylene glycol or propylene glycol) and other chemicals.

Some rubber-based and elastomer parts commonly used in automobile engine cooling systems:

  • Ball valve seals
  • Coolant hoses
  • Hoses
  • O-rings
  • Radiator tank gaskets
  • Washers

Engine Lubrication Systems

The lubrication system functions to reduce wear caused by the friction of moving metal parts, as well as to carry off excess heat. In the engine, the lubrication system circulates and delivers oil to all the moving parts of the engine, and collects, cleans, cools and recirculates the oil.

Elastomers used in automobile engine lubrication systems must exhibit tolerance to extreme high temperatures and pressures, and exposure to fuels, oils, and other chemicals.

Some rubber-based and elastomer parts commonly used in automobile engine lubricating systems:

  • Ball valve seals
  • Oil pan gaskets
  • Oil pump gaskets
  • Oil seals
  • O-rings

Transmission Systems

Mechanical power from the engine is transferred by way of the transmission system to the driveshaft. The transmission consists of an interconnected system of gears, shafts, clutch assemblies, and electrical components. Through a series of gear ratios, the transmission reduces the high speed of the internal combustion engine to the slower wheel speed, increasing torque in the process.

Elastomers used in automobile transmission systems must exhibit tolerance to high temperatures, torque, and exposure to fuels, oils, transmission and differential fluids.

Some rubber-based and elastomer parts commonly used in automobile transmission system:

  • Ball valve seals
  • Gaskets
  • O-rings (axial, static, and crush seals)
  • Radial shaft seals
  • Thrust washers
  • Transmission converter seals
  • Transmission seals and gaskets
  • U-cup seals
  • Wiper seals

Powertrain Systems

The power coming from the crankshaft of the engine is transferred to the transmission. The output of the transmission is transmitted via a driveshaft to one or more differentials, which in turn power the wheels.

Elastomers used in automobile powertrain systems must exhibit tolerance to extreme high temperatures and torque forces, and exposure to fuels, oils, and other chemicals.

Some rubber-based and elastomer parts commonly used in automobile powertrain systems:

  • Bearing seals
  • Drive shaft boots

Axle Systems

Axles serve to transmit driving torque to the wheels, as well as to maintain the position of the wheels relative to each other and to the vehicle body. The axles in the system must also bear the weight of the vehicle plus any cargo.

Elastomers used in automobile axles must exhibit tolerance to extreme high temperatures and torque forces, and exposure to fuels, oils, and other chemicals.

Some rubber-based and elastomer parts commonly used in automobile axle systems:

  • Axle seals
  • Bearing seals
  • CVJ boots
  • Light and heavy axial seals
  • Wheel end seals

Steering Systems

A steering system is necessary to control the direction of travel in a moving vehicle. There are various types of steering systems, each consisting of a series of connected wheels, rods, joints, and linkages. Many steering systems include hydraulic or electric power steering to assist the motion of turning the steering wheel.

Elastomers used in automobile steering systems must exhibit tolerance to extreme high temperatures and torque forces, and exposure to fuels, oils, and other chemicals.

Some rubber-based and elastomer parts commonly used in automobile steering systems:

  • Backup rings
  • Boots
  • Cups
  • Hoses
  • Housing seals
  • Inner and outer rack seals
  • Input shaft seals
  • Power steering hoses
  • Power steering pump o-rings
  • Power steering seals
  • Steering gear mounting isolators
  • Steering gear o-rings
  • Steering rack boots

Braking Systems

An essential function is to be able to slow and stop the vehicle. Air brakes are commonly used in heavier vehicles such as trucks, while hydraulic brake systems (often with a vacuum booster – i.e., “power brakes”) are used in smaller vehicles such as passenger cars.

Elastomers used in automobile braking systems must keep a tight seal against air or fluid leakage under conditions of extreme high temperature and pressure, and exposure to brake fluids, fuels, oils, and other chemicals.

Some rubber-based and elastomer parts commonly used in automobile braking systems:

  • Boot rings
  • Brake cap seals
  • Brake diaphragms
  • Brake hoses
  • Caliper pin boots, support bushings
  • Cups
  • Dust seals
  • Hydraulic seals
  • Lip Seals
  • Master cylinder dirt seals, diaphragms, grommets, front and rear seals
  • Organic brake pads
  • O-rings
  • Pin bushings

Electronics Systems

Ignition and lighting systems, including an alternator and battery, existed in early commercially manufactured automobiles. In modern automobiles, electronic control systems additionally serve to govern each of the other subsystems that comprise the vehicle. Separate electronic modules control the engine, transmission, and chassis, while other electronic modules contribute to safety, driver assistance, passenger comfort, and entertainment. In each of these modules, sensor units send data to a central electronic control unit which actively controls the subsystem in real time. All of these electronic systems need to be properly insulated, grounded, and protected from moisture and dirt.

Elastomers used in automobile electronic systems must exhibit resistance to leakage of moisture and dirt in operating environments such as extreme high or low temperatures and exposure to fuels, oils, and other potentially corrosive chemicals.

Some rubber-based and elastomer parts commonly used in automobile electronics systems:

  • Anti-moisture seals
  • Wire harness plugs
  • Wire pass-through grommets

Suspension Systems

A vehicle’s suspension system contributes to road handling and braking, and to ride quality by keeping the vehicle’s occupants isolated from road noise, vibrations, and bumps. The suspension system also protects the vehicle itself and any cargo from damage and wear. The vehicle’s suspension system contributes to both safety and driving pleasure.

Elastomers used in automobile suspension systems must exhibit tolerance to extreme high temperatures, pressure and torque forces, and exposure to fuels, oils, and other chemicals.

Some rubber-based and elastomer parts commonly used in automobile suspension systems:

  • Body mounts
  • Bushings
  • Chassis mounts
  • CV boots and liners
  • Dampers
  • Idler arm seals
  • Master cylinder seals and pressure seals
  • O-rings (axial, static, and crush seals)
  • Rod seals
  • Shock absorber bellows
  • Shock absorber o-rings
  • Shock absorber seals
  • U-cup seals
  • Vibration mounts and air springs
  • Wiper seals

Air Conditioning & Heating Systems

Automobile air conditioning units prior to the mid-1990s used various blends of chlorine-containing inorganic gases (CFCs) as a refrigerant. When released into the environment, the chlorine in these compounds was found to catalyze damage to the atmospheric ozone layer. Thus, more recently, different refrigerants were developed, most notably a hydrocarbon mix of isopentane and isobutene. This in turn necessitated the development of new types of sealing elastomers such as hydrogenated nitrile (HNBR).

Some rubber-based and elastomer parts commonly used in automobile air conditioning and heating systems:

  • Air duct hoses
  • Compressor diaphragms
  • Duct hoses
  • Heater core gaskets
  • O-rings
  • Reservoir hoses
  • Thermostat seals, plugs, boots, and gaskets

Body

The body of the automobile isolates and protects the occupants and the cargo of the vehicle from the outside environment, and cushions in the event of a collision. The body usually has several moving parts such as doors and windows.

Elastomers used in automobile bodies must be able to retain sealing characteristics under conditions of varied environmental conditions including extended exposure to UV radiation, and exposure to fuels, oils, and other chemicals.

Some rubber-based and elastomer parts commonly used in automobile bodies:

  • Air bag sensor seals
  • Bushings
  • Cowl seals
  • Door seals
  • Floor pads
  • Headlight seals
  • Pedal pads
  • Sensor housing seals
  • Tail gate seals
  • Tires
  • Window seals
  • Windshield wipers
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