KetaSpire PEEK Polymer Selected for Polimotor 2 Engine’s Oil Scavenger Line

The Polimotor 2 automotive engine project has recently chosen a high-performing grade of Solvay’s KetaSpire polyetheretherketone (PEEK) to fabricate an oil scavenger line for the engine’s dry sump modular oil pump system.

The project, which is directed by automotive trailblazer Matti Holtzberg, is aimed at designing and manufacturing a next-gen, all-plastic engine for competitive automotive racing this year. Solvay is among the key material sponsors for this highly anticipated technical endeavor.

Allegheny Performance Plastics, LLC, a renowned processor of high-performance thermoplastics, machined the 18-inch oil scavenger line from a stock shape offered by Draje Plastics, a company based in Texas. The shape was extruded with Solvay’s KetaSpire KT-820 CF30 PEEK, a 30- percent carbon reinforced grade that maintains high modulus and optimal fatigue resistance at constant-use temperatures reaching 240°C. This is above the highest peak oil temperatures in Polimotor 2’s dry sump design, which can reach up to 138°C.

The Polimotor 2 project targets the development of an all-plastic, four-cylinder, double-overhead CAM engine that weighs between 138 to 148 lbs, or around 90 lbs less than today’s regular production engine. Holtzberg’s innovative program will utilize Solvay’s advanced polymer technology for the development of up to ten parts. Apart from the oil scavenger line, these include a fuel rail, throttle body, water inlet/outlet, oil pump components, water pump and other high-performance components. Apart from KetaSpire PEEK, other Solvay materials eyed for use include Tecnoflon VPL fluoroelastomers, Torlon polyamide-imide (PAI), Ryton polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), Radel polyphenylsulfone (PPSU), AvaSpire polyaryletherketone (PAEK) and Amodel polyphthalamide (PPA).