DuPont Gives Spark to European Ignition System
February 21, 2002 — One of the world's lightest and most efficient auto ignition system pencil coils owes its groundbreaking performance to the properties of two DuPont Engineering Polymers' products — Rynite® PET and Crastin® PBT thermoplastic polyester resins.
The new pencil coils – available from Federal-Mogul through the company's Italian subsidiary, Champion – support the trend to smaller, lightweight engines. They weigh only 0.2 kilograms and with their small diameter of 24 millimeters (versus 150), they fit directly into the spark plug holes, instead of requiring additional space under the hood like traditional ignition coil systems.
The miniature pencil coil has been used for the last few years in the ignition systems of many Formula One racing cars, including several Grand Prix winners. It has been available commercially in models by Hyundai, Kia and Lamborghini since 1998. A major European auto manufacturer will be adopting the pencil coil this year.
Crastin® PBT is used in the pencil coil for its excellent high-performance properties, chemical resistance, stiffness and good electrical insulation performance. Rynite® PET is used for its outstanding thermal and insulating properties. Applying science to fulfill human needs – such as the need for strong, lightweight car parts – is part of the DuPont integrated science strategy for achieving sustainable growth.
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