LANXESS: High-performance plastic grades for battery module housings

●Excellent insulation and flame retardancy minimize the risk of fire

●Lower weight of battery module assembly

● High functional integration, reducing processing and assembly costs

● Assisting mass production of Korean automakers

Shanghai, August 27, 2021 – Specialty chemicals company LANXESS and South Korean auto parts specialist INFAC have jointly developed a battery module housing for electric vehicles
.

The battery module housing uses LANXESS's Durethan BKV30FN04 to meet the stringent mechanical and chemical performance requirements of the latest components for electric vehicles
.
Halogen-free flame retardant glass fiber reinforced polyamide 6 (PA6) has excellent flame retardant and electrical properties
.
This material is highly machinable and enables the integration of complex functions required for housing components, reducing the number of parts, simplifying the assembly process, and reducing weight
.

LANXESS and South Korean auto parts specialist INFAC have jointly developed a battery module housing for electric vehicles
.
The product has been used in the mass production of an electric vehicle model launched by a Korean OEM .

This year, an electric vehicle model launched by a Korean OEM will use the new battery module housing part for mass production
.
"The successful mass production of the battery module housing demonstrates the excellence of LANXESS Durethan products in electric vehicle batteries, where technology and safety are of paramount importance
.
Our high-performance plastics will serve the electric vehicle and battery markets make a significant contribution
," said Milan Vignjevic, head of LANXESS' Performance Materials business unit Asia Pacific
.

Flame retardant plastic with excellent mechanical and electrical properties

For battery module housings, shock absorption and thermal management are critical to protect the battery from external shocks
.
Dureton BKV30FN04 is not only mechanically strong, but also has high voltage insulation, can withstand voltages up to 800V, and can effectively block high voltage currents
.
The product has strong flame retardant properties and can prevent or delay the spread of flames in the event of a fire
.
The durability of glass fiber reinforced Durethan BKV30FN04 to mechanical loading is better than that of unfilled PA6
.

In addition, the product maintains excellent strength and stiffness when in contact with electrolytes or cooling media, and is chemically resistant to inhibit chemically induced damage
.

Engineering plastics from LANXESS can be used in a variety of battery components, including battery covers, high-voltage connectors, cable holders, and pipes for battery cooling systems, as well as hydrogen fuel cell vehicle components such as hydrogen storage tank liners
.
These engineering plastics can also replace metals in various components, enabling lightweight designs
.
Additionally, these engineering plastics allow the production of multiple functional components in a single process, a driver of continued demand growth in the next-generation mobility market, where many technologies and components are at play
.

“LANXESS’s high-quality materials, technical expertise and custom engineering services allow us to accelerate our growth
.
This helps strengthen our position in the fast-growing market for battery components for electric vehicles,” said Gyuso Lee, Head of Procurement and Development at INFAC
.

Sanghun Han, Regional Head of the Performance Materials business unit Korea, said: "LANXESS has worked closely with leading global automotive OEMs, including Korean companies
.
As a result, we were able to identify trends and challenges for electric vehicles at an early stage and participate in Various electric vehicle and battery development projects
.
With our successful experience with our customers, we are establishing ourselves as a key material partner for new mobility
.
”