World’s first polyamide strut mount for passenger car chassis

• Variant with fiberglass-reinforced polyamide 25% lighter than aluminum design
• Highly insulating rubber element provides enhanced ride comfort
• Used in new Cadillac CT6

ContiTech Vibration Control has developed a strut mount in which fiberglass-reinforced BASF Ultramid polyamide is also used as the primary structural component. It is the first strut mount made of this material, which is used both at the front and rear axle in the chassis environment of passenger cars. The strut mount provides a weight reduction of around 25 percent and a longer service life. At the same time, a highly insulating rubber element enhances ride comfort. In collaboration with General Motors LLC, ContiTech developed the strut mount for the new Cadillac CT6, which is set to be launched at the end of 2015.

Part is subjected to extreme stress

In passenger cars, the spring strut mount is the interface between the spring strut and body. It enables precise and low-friction rotational movement of the spring strut in the front of the vehicle, thereby ensuring optimum contact of the tire to the road. The vehicle is easier to steer.

As a chassis component, it is subjected to extreme stress. Spray water, road salt, sand, gravel, and vibrations can cause the spring strut to wear. If it is no longer fully functional, the shock absorbers, among other things, are more highly stressed. Vibrations and noise from the axles are more pronounced, resulting in reduced ride comfort.

Fiberglass-reinforced polyamide strut mount

The new two-section, three-path bearing comprises both fiberglass-reinforced polyamide and aluminum components. This new design can even withstand shock loading as high as 75 kN, equivalent to driving a car along a badly potholed road. The strut mount also ensures that only minimal counter torque acts on the shock absorber. This component too is subjected to less stress which, in turn, enhances safety in the vehicle.