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Automotive

As a developer of seals for the automotive industry, Techné has been able to acquire strong expertise for more than 40 years and has become a reference partner for numerous original equipment manufacturers. Techné seals are usedby the majority of car and truck manufacturers.

The reliability and quality of Techné seals ensure the smooth operation of vehicles and the safety of users.

Techné has a dedicated department for OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) customers who arz active in the automotive sector. The OEM department consists of a global team of engineers, quality assurance specialists, logisticians and sales representatives.

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Fields of application

Techné develops and produces the entire range of seals that are essential for the correct functioning of cars and trucks. Techné seals are used in steering systems, gearboxes, lighting, air conditioning, connectors, interiors and axles. Due to the diversity of applications in the automotive sector, Techné engineers have developed materials, seals and surface coatings specifically for this sector.

From standard profiles to customised seals, Techné offers a complete range of seals that meet the strict requirements of car manufacturers. With the help of an Abaqus software, Techné’s engineering office can simulate the functioning of seals and materials to provide customers with the best possible advice.

Products

One of Techné’s strength is its variety of seals and materials. The range of automotive seals inclused the folowwing categories:

  • Moulded parts according to drawing for the automobile industry
  • Membrane seals
  • O-rings
  • X-rings
  • V-rings
  • Rotary seals/oil seals
  • Bonded Seals TBS
  • Sliding bushings
 
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Materials and approvals

Techné provides the following rubber materials for automotive seals:

  • ACM (polyacrylate): ACM is often used in transmissions. It offers good compatibility with engine and automatic transmission fluids (ATF).
  • AEM (ethylene methyl acrylate): Unlike ACM, AEM is not resistant to automatic transmission oils. However, it has good compatibility with mineral oils and coolants. It has good resistance at temperatures from -40 °C to 150 °C.
  • NBR (nitrile rubber): NBR is a commonly used elastomer material in the automotive industry due to its good oil resistance and mechanical properties as well as its competitive price. Its weaknesses such as its low ozone resistance and low temperature resistance can be bypassed by using special nitrile materials or HNBR.
  • HNBR (hydrogenated nitrile rubber): HNBR is used as an alternative to NBR. Compared to NBR, HNBR has better ozone resistance and a wider temperature range. It offers good compatibility with biodiesel as well as liquid gas.
  • FPM (fluoroelastomer): FPM is the standard material for high temperature applications (up to 250 °C). It offers good ozone and UV resistance and has good compatibility with biodiesel, LPG, fuels and hydrocarbons. It is often used for the production of oil seals. For more complex applications, Techné provides a special FPM elastomer material for low temperatures.
  • Silicone (VMQ) und fluorosilikone (FVMQ): Silicone is used for automotive applications at low temperatures (maximum -60 °C). Due to its low chemical compatibility with oils, for such applications it is replaced by FVMQ.
  • EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer): EPDM is commonly used for automotive applications without oil. It offers excellent resistance to ozone and UV radiation as well as to brake fluid containing glycol. Peroxide-cured EPDM has a temperature resistance of up to 150 °C.

The materials developed for the automotive industry are tested according to the regulations of the car and truck manufacturers (e.g. MAN: TUC approval, DBL 5556, VW 2.8.1.). The engineering office for materials is available to customers from the automotive industry for enquiries regarding approvals.

At its main office in Morancé (France), Techné has an own department dedicated to surface coatings. These surface coatings meet all the requirements of the automotive industry. The coatings facilitate the assembly and mounting of the seals, reduce the effort of installation and therefore the risk of assembly line stoppage. Techné has developed the following surface coatings for automotive applications:

  • T-Surf®: Cleanliness of the sealing parts, LABS-free (free of paint-wetting impairment substances)
  • T-Coat®: Improvement of sliding properties, reduction of installation effort, for static and dynamic applications
  • T-Color®: Improvement of gliding properties, serves identification and marketing purposes

Development process

Techné's engineering office manages automotive projects from the conception to the development of the seals:

  • Development phase taking into account the customer's requirement specifications, simulation using Abaqus
  • Feasibility study: position of the parting line, compliance with tolerances, support in the selection of the appropriate material
  • Production of the prototypes via CNC machining, cutting, stereolithography or injection moulding process
  • Quality control of the prototypes and serial production (non-contact measurement, installation, specific control in the scanning process)
  • Production in IATF certified production plants
  • Controle: 100 % control due to automatic sorting machine
  • Compliance with REACH and RoHS standards
  • Full traceability
  • VDA certified auditor from Techné for the production plans

The initial samples are provided with an initial sample inspection report or a PPAP report (Production Part Approval Process).

Depending on the criticality of the sealing part, a requirement level (1, 2 or 3) is defined in collaboration with the customer. On request, Techné prepares a folder containing the following documents:

  • Cover page according to VDA (Verband der Automobilindustrie)
  • Control of the dimensions
  • Drawing
  • FMEA (failure mode and effects analysis)
  • Flow chart
  • Control plan
  • Process capabilities
  • List of control tools
  • R&R (repeatability & reproducibility)
  • Safety data sheet
  • Material data sheet
  • IMDS declaration (International Material Data System)
  • TED sheet (Transport Packaging Description)
  • Initial sample inspection report
  • Capacity overview
  • Photo of the tool on request

Quality

Techné automotive seals are controlled by 100 % automatic visual inspection machines. A PPM target can be set up. Its accuracy will depend on the complexity of the part to be inspected.