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DuPont Shows How Collaboration Generates Better Performance, Lower Cost

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19.10.2012

DuPont Performance Polymers is featuring an innovative automotive jounce bumper component to show how design, materials and processing can converge to deliver added performance and lower cost.

Image: DuPont

The featured jounce bumper is part of a vehicle’s shock-absorber system designed to absorb impact and dampen noise, vibration and harshness (NVH).

The featured jounce bumper is part of a vehicle’s shock-absorber system designed to absorb impact and dampen noise, vibration and harshness (NVH).

DuPont, working with a team from Ossberger, capitalized on the flexibility attributes of DuPont™ Hytrel® thermoplastic elastomer and a unique Ossberger blow-molding technology to simplify the component from four pieces that require subassembly to a single piece. This alone significantly reduced cost, size and improved performance.

“Materials are critical in component design and the best results happen when the three primary phases in product development – design, materials and processing - converge,” said Patrick Cazuc, Automotive Director Europe, DuPont Performance Polymers.

Beyond Materials

In developing this component, DuPont worked on design, using non-linear Finite Element Analysis (FEA) techniques and specialist software, as well as processing, including rapid prototyping and laboratory testing at the DuPont European Technical Centre. By using an Ossberger machine, the thickness profile was tightly controlled, facilitating optimum energy-absorbing properties with a maximum compression ratio.

Proven Performance

These jounce bumpers made of Hytrel® have been tested by automakers on a variety of vehicles over tens of thousands of kilometres. According to an independent vehicle testing institute: "Jounce Bumpers of Hytrel® bring higher comfort and steering feedback, together with better road handling compared to PU (polyurethane) parts. Wheel rebound is also reduced with higher attenuation of low impacts. The front axis roll angle is also reduced."

“The new Jounce Bumper is an example of DuPont listening to market needs and developing a superior solution, while providing all the necessary collaborative support needed to bring an idea from design to commercialisation,” Cazuc concludes. “More to come on this new development.”

Visit the DuPont booth (Booth 4201/Hall B4) to see the new Jounce Bumper, the depth of technical expertise and experience that lead to its development and numerous other innovative solutions and services that DuPont offers to many other industries.

DuPont offers more than 100 materials and product families for the global automotive industry. Through its global application development network, DuPont Automotive is committed to collaborating with customers throughout the value chain to develop new products, materials, components and systems that help reduce dependence on fossil fuels and protect people and the environment. For more information, visit automotive.dupont.com.

DuPont Performance Polymers is committed to working with customers throughout the world to develop new products, components and systems that help reduce dependence on fossil fuels and protect people and the environment. With more than 40 manufacturing, development and research centers throughout the world, DuPont Performance Polymers uses the industry’s broadest portfolio of plastics, elastomers, renewably sourced polymers, filaments and high-performance parts and shapes to deliver cost-effective solutions to customers in aerospace, automotive, consumer, electrical, electronic, industrial, sporting goods and other diversified industries.

DuPont (NYSE: DD) has been bringing world-class science and engineering to the global marketplace in the form of innovative products, materials, and services since 1802. The company believes that by collaborating with customers, governments, NGOs, and thought leaders we can help find solutions to such global challenges as providing enough healthy food for people everywhere, decreasing dependence on fossil fuels, and protecting life and the environment. For additional information about DuPont and its commitment to inclusive innovation, please visit www.dupont.com.

The DuPont Oval Logo, DuPont(TM), The miracles of science(R) and all product names denoted with ® are trademarks or registered trademarks of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company or its affiliates.

DuPont press contact
Rémi Daneyrole
Tel.: +41 (0)22 717 54 19
Fax: +41 (0)22 580 22 45
remi.daneyrole@dupont.com

Rémi Daneyrole | Source: DuPont
Further information: www.dupont.com

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