HDPE for Auto Fuel Tanks

WEB EXCLUSIVE A patented family of HDPE resins boasts improved resistance to bio-diesel fuels and is poised for use by makers of automotive plastic fuel tanks. Newly available from Basell North America, Inc., a LyondellBasell company, Wilmington, Del., are Lupolen HDPE grades 4261 AG BD for blow molding and 4261A IM BD for injection molding. Tests on blow molded and injection molded parts show significantly increased chemical resistance to bio-diesel fuels compared with current HDPE grades used in fuel tanks, according to Thomas Lindner, technical manager for automotive fluid systems. After 1500 hr of contact with 100% bio-diesel fuel, the new HDPE changes its intrinsic viscosity by 1.7%, which is nearly 30 times better than standard HDPE. The two new Lupolen grades reportedly maintain the same level of physical and chemical properties as Basell’s Lupolen 4261 A product family. This also applies to the melt viscosity during processing, so existing molds and machinery are expected to require no modification. (302) 683-8000 * www.lyondellbasell.com