Lower Friction, Weight and Emissions

“Vehicle manufacturers are looking at every possible way to increase fuel efficiency and reduce weight, especially in trucks, SUVs and turbo-charged performance vehicles,” said Jeff Nelson, vice president, Automotive Sales, Freudenberg-NOK. “Even the smallest components can have a dramatic impact on the function and efficiency of vehicle powertrains.”

The BlueSeal is made of a single material – a steel-reinforced Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) – designed to withstand harsh engine fluids while providing an axial space reduction, which allows manufacturers to downsize the engine. The seal has a low-friction Power Optimized Polytetrafluoroethylene (POP®) lip design that insures smaller dissipation loss, reduces the temperature in the contact area between the seal and shaft and performs flawlessly under different engine conditions.

Dual product development strategy for the automotive industry

The BlueSeal increases durability through its perfect sealing behavior and has a higher resistance to pressure than traditional seal designs. Its R-Tight® technology results in near-zero air leaks during assembly tests, allowing manufacturers to isolate other potential leak paths in the system.

Freudenberg is pursuing a dual product development strategy that supports continued development of advanced materials and components for internal combustion powertrain applications while pursuing new technologies that address emerging challenges associated with alternate mobility options like lithium-ion batteries and fuel cells. The BlueSeal, like many of Freudenberg’s LESS products, offers system benefits in both arenas.

“The automotive industry is undergoing profound transmission and driveline changes,” Nelson said. “It is our job to provide customers with exceptional component solutions that address the needs of all mobility platforms regardless of the fuel they use. The need to harness energy effectively and efficiently is a common denominator across our development efforts.”

More information on Freudenberg’s LESS portfolio is available at less.fst.com.