max-min temperature for car components 3

[robonave]

I have been asked to design a car plastic component which will be positioned in the cockpit but exposed to direct sun lightning.
Being a first timer, I would like to know if there are any automotive standards on max and min temperature to be espected for a component positioned in the cockpit under direct sun.
Thank you for the help

robonave

 

[TVP]

I have some data from an OEM experiment conducted in Arizona that shows maximum temperatures of various interior components. Components exposed to direct sunlight like the top of the instrument panel or the top of the package tray/shelf reach 109 degrees Celsius.

Low temperature requirement is usually stated as -40 C. I am not aware of any general industry standard or guide on temperature requirements. Your customer should have provided a document that defines the performance requirements, including min and max use temperature. I suggest consulting with someone in your organization about the typical temperature range to which components are engineered.

 

[GregLocock]

Wow, I knew they got enough to burn your hand, but would have guessed at less than 100 degrees C. 109. No wonder vinyl seats went out of fashion!

Cheers

Greg Locock

 

[TVP]

Quite understandable how vinyl has been usurped. The car in question had black paint and black interior, so it was the worst case condition.

By the way, I believe you work for the Australian arm of this corporation...

 

[GregLocock]

yes and we persist with charcoal grey for interiors. One of the funniest effects is ball point pens that are left in the storage bins curl up. Cheers

Greg Locock

 

[gdodd]

Also the indicator needle on the speedo and rev counter of some vehicles made a few years ago.

 

[adrianshi]

+80 degrees C to -40 degrees C?
Got this from some OEM spec.
FYI.

 

[ESalters]

Hi there,

I work for a Japanese OEM.
We measured in Okinawa, in the southern most tip of Japan, 110 degrees celsuis on top of the IP. The climate is comparable to Florida/Calif.

regards,

 

[evelrod]

Well, for a time I lived in Deer Valley (Phoenix) AZ and the 109C does not suprise me one bit. Back in the early 60's the plastic steering wheel on my black 40 Ford would burn and blister your hands if you left the windows up in the sun.

Rod

 

[brad]

I've seen tests for IP components at 120C soak.
-40 C is almost universal as a low end.
Brad

 

[dporte17]

Everyone is going high end. I have sat in a car at -40C (below -70C wind chill, which is how we look at it up here). The standard of -40 explains why trim panels break up here!

 

[brad]

Windchill is not what the car feels; it is an effective temperature only for living beings (and even this is arguable). For inanimate objects, -40C with a windchill of -70C is STILL -40C.

You have essentially corroborated statements above of -40C as a lower limit.

Brad

 

[HDS]

Cell phone materials need a minimum HDT of 180-190 F mainly because of in car exposure.

Are underhood temperature requirments higher or lower?

 

[dgallup]

Under hood requirements are usually +135C to -40C unless it is near exhaust. I have seen some +150C requirements.

 

[Tmoose]

Was doing some service work up in Shermans Bridge Maine several winters ago. Saw the thermometer mercury sitting at the point where F and C are the same (-40). The rental Toyota had been sitting outside the bed-and-breakfast all nite. It made slow weird frightening noises when cranking, but started to "run". After idling for many minutes it seemed alright. Suspension was MIGHTY stiff as we let the Camry creep back to the plant.