Exhaust-gas turbochargers could be considered the heart of modern diesel engines, because they substantially boost engine power and torque. A key element here is the intercooler, which is placed between the turbocharger and the engine. It lowers the high temperatures resulting from compression of the intake air and ensures that a greater mass of air and thus of oxygen is routed to the cylinders.
For the intercooler to do this job properly over the engine’s lifetime, it requires a seal with minimal compression set. This is where the new ELASTOSIL® LR 3092/65 and ELASTOSIL® R plus 4060 silicone elastomers come in. ELASTOSIL® LR 3092/65 is a rapid-cure, two-component liquid silicone rubber that can withstand temperatures of up to 220 °C. By contrast, ELASTOSIL® R plus 4060 is a one-component solid silicone rubber that has the same basic properties, but can take even more heat. Both products have very low compression set and can be injection molded.
A further application is the membrane used for controlling the charge pressure in the turbocharger with the aid of an actuator. The latter prevents a pressure overload in the cylinder. The low compression set and high heat resistance of ELASTOSIL® LR 3092/65 and ELASTOSIL® R plus 4060 make them eminently suitable for such applications, too.
ELASTOSIL® R plus 4060 is also ideal for the manufacture of spark-plug boots. The silicone rubber provides excellent protection against moisture, dirt and water splashes. The elastomer’s combination of high heat resistance and low compression set is another plus in this application, too.
Visit WACKER at K 2010 in Düsseldorf. You’ll find us in Hall 06, Booth A10.