Learn about vehicle air springs material challenges
A vehicle’s suspension system directly influences vehicle safety, control, and comfort. Air spring technology will be used on more vehicle suspension systems to provide improved dynamic ride characteristics and optimum height adjustments, along with better driving comfort and safety, especially with higher loads. Suspension systems also offer improved driving efficiency, reduced CO2 footprints across the entire value chain, and lower total cost and weight.
In the past, air spring manufacturers relied on metal and rubber as primary air spring components, including Polyamide 6 (PA6) and Polyamide 66 (PA66). However, you can expect to experience supply chain challenges with PA66, as the raw materials used to make these materials are dominated by a few global suppliers, which limits supply and increases costs. In addition to supply chain challenges, many of the materials used for air springs are associated with higher costs, inefficiencies, and limited performance and design flexibility.
Our materials offer significant value to customers, featuring ultrahigh flow formulated for easy processing while ensuring weldability, high strength, and chemical resistance. They also provide an 80% lower carbon footprint (CFP) compared to competing PA6 alternatives, serving as a drop-in material solution without the need for requalification.
Trends and application needs highlight the growing demand for metal replacement to reduce overall weight, increasing focus on cost reduction, and a rising OEM demand for sustainability and customizable ride dynamics. Consumers also demand greater comfort, making these advancements essential for future vehicle suspension systems.
Deliver sustainable and readily available advanced materials for vehicle air springs
To overcome all these challenges, Envalior provides Akulon® PA66, Akulon® PA6 and Arnitel® TPC for air spring components, helping you meet performance, sustainability and lightweighting requirements.
These advanced material solutions provide:
- Excellent thermal performance across a broad temperature range
- High strength and chemical resistant chemistry
- Easy processing and weldability
- Up to 50% lower carbon footprints from bio-based and recycled materials
- Availability outside of traditional supply chain
Akulon® PA6 and Akulon® P66 outperform aluminum in a variety of factors for air suspension components, including processability, application weight, chemical resistance, surface roughness after molding/casting, weldability and total cost.
The unique chemistry of Arnitel® TPC makes it an attractive option because it provides strong, flexible material solutions for boots and bellows within suspension systems. For other components within the system, Envalior offers Akulon®, a material solution with hard and soft segments that deliver flexibility, high-temperature resistance, strength and excellent processing characteristics. These features make Akulon® PA66 and Akulon® PA6 ideal for suspension components, including pistons, piston pots, contour shells, winding rings and caps, and gaiter pots.
