Plastic Under the Hood

You’re looking at a picture of what is claimed to be a global first: a catalytic converter bracket engineered for the Volkswagen Golf, a component that’s ordinarily a metal/rubber assembly, but which is now an all-plastic design, utilizing DuPont Zytel nylon resin (www.automotive.dupont.com). Not only does the bracket have to withstand dynamic forces and chemical exposure, given its proximity to the engine, it experiences temperatures up to 175°C. Compared to the previous component, not only is assembly reduced, but weight is cut by nearly 50%.