Syensqo Materials has introduced Ajedium™ PPSU slot liners for 400-volt electric motors, aiming to enhance efficiency by increasing copper slot fill compared to traditional paper laminates. This new product leverages the well-established Radel® PPSU material, known for its use in electrical insulation, including oil-cooled transformers for over twenty-five years. The primary advantage of PPSU over traditional Nomex and Nomex-Kapton-Nomex (NKN) laminates lies in its ability to enable thinner slot liners, thus improving the slot fill factor and heat dissipation in e-motors.

Initial design comparisons between Ajedium™ PPSU and Ajedium™ PEEK slot liners showed promising mechanical performance. Subsequent tests on electrical performance indicated that PPSU could deliver similar benefits to PEEK, outperforming Nomex and NKN in terms of partial discharge inception voltage (PDIV) and breakdown voltage at reduced thicknesses of 100 microns.

Practical demonstrations confirmed that Ajedium™ PPSU slot liners can be installed using standard insertion equipment, with tests showing strong column strength. Additionally, Ajedium™ PPSU slot liners were tested in automatic transmission fluid (ATF) at 150°C for 1,000 hours to ensure their durability in oil-cooled systems. Post-aging tests revealed that PPSU maintained its electrical properties, demonstrating its suitability for harsh environments.

Ajedium™ PPSU slot liners offer multiple manufacturing advantages over Nomex 410, including the potential to eliminate moisture and humidity control equipment and secondary dedusting steps, thereby creating a cleaner and more sustainable production process. Moreover, Syensqo has introduced Radel® PPSU ECHO grades, which are mass balance certified and produced using 100% renewable electricity, further enhancing the sustainability profile of these materials.

In summary, Ajedium™ PPSU slot liners improve e-motor efficiency by allowing for increased copper slot fill and better thermal management. They also contribute to a more sustainable manufacturing process by eliminating the need for additional moisture management systems and reducing the carbon footprint.

By DeeDee Smith, Victoria Lee, Luigi Marino, Alex Wist, Ramsay Li, Ysée Genot, Brian Baleno

Source: LinkedIn