Composites Aid Tire Technology

According to the Cycloid Company (Cranberry Township, PA), most tires fail to make it to their maximum design life mostly due to improper inflation. To combat this problem, the Cycloid ACS air compressor system, ideal for truck and trailer fleets, is designed to continuously maintain proper tire pressures using a self-contained, hub-mounted air compressor which is powered by the rolling motion of the wheels.

In order to achieve the design requirements for the new technology, Cycloid used a range of custom tailored composite materials from LNP Engineering Plastics (Exton, PA). For the base of the unit, LNP's Verton MFX, a long glass fiber-reinforced polypropylene, was the ideal fit. They needed a material with good strength, excellent chemical resistance and a good surface finish. Verton MFX was also chosen for the cover, where corrosion resistance was desired because of exposure to the elements.

For the cam, Lubricomp SAL was the material of choice. It is an aramid fiber-reinforced, lubricated nylon 12. Lubricomp KL, a lubricated acetal composite, was used for the follower. Both offered a low wear rate between the cam and the follower. The composite's low dynamic friction provided smooth operation between the cam and the follower.

A carbon fiber-reinforced lubricated polycarbonate, Lubricomp DCL, was recommended for the piston, offering excellent dimensional stability and giving what was needed in terms of low wear and friction versus the steel cylinder. This composite allowed the molder to achieve very tight tolerances through extrusion and machining.

For more information contact:

LNP Engineering Plastics, 475 Creamery Way, Exton, PA 19341. 610-363-4500.
Circle 600.

Cycloid Company, 301 Commerce Park Dr, Cranberry Township, PA 16066. 888-CYCLOID. Circle 601.

Originally published in the December 1998 issue of designfax.
Please Note: some pictures or diagrams are only available through the printed media.