Sep 7, 2015

  • Comprehensive materials expertise forms the basis for new developments
  • Image brochure for ContiTech air spring original equipment now also available in Russian

Moscow, September 2015. Whether high temperatures above zero or icy minus temperatures are involved, commercial vehicles are being increasingly used in regions dominated by especially hot or cold ambient temperatures. Use in the cold regions of northern Russia presents a particular challenge for the air springs in trucks. For these extreme temperatures, ContiTech Air Spring Systems has launched two new types of air spring that display impressive durability in even the harshest conditions. "It is only possible to develop temperature-resistant elastomer products like these with comprehensive materials expertise," Diethelm Bauch, head of Commercial Vehicle Original Equipment, says. "Our decades of experience in regions with extreme climates and our extensive knowledge in development set us apart as specialists in this area." At Comtrans in Moscow from September 8 to 12, 2015, the company will be presenting these innovations as well as additional highlights from its range of products for buses, trucks, and trailers (hall 15, stand 154).

With ContiTech air springs from the Arktis series, trucks are optimally equipped to operate in temperatures as low as -55°C. The air spring can be identified by the distinctive snowflake symbol, which can already be seen on Continental winter tires.
Foto: Continental
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Elastic at the lowest temperatures
Targeting the growing transport volume in especially cold regions, ContiTech has developed a cold-resistant air spring for semi-trucks. The key basis for the cold-resistant air springs is the special rubber compound used. "Conventional air springs lose their elasticity at low sub-zero temperatures and can develop leaks," explains Bauch. "This is why we developed a compound and put it through rigorous testing in the cold chamber. With the new air spring, trucks are optimally equipped to operate in temperatures as low as -55°C."

Customers can identify the new air spring by the distinctive snow flake symbol, which can already be seen on Continental winter tires. The first generation has already proved successful in use in Siberia. Meanwhile, ContiTech has brought out cold-resistant variants of further air spring types.

Long service life even at 80°C
In extremely hot regions, the requirements on air springs in commercial vehicles are very different. Higher ambient temperatures and extreme atmospheric effects such as ozone and UV radiation accelerate the wear process. The installation conditions in the vehicle can further intensify this process: In particular, the proximity to the vehicle exhaust system places higher thermal stress on the air springs. Because of this, the wear of the rubber increases enormously, even in moderate climatic conditions. To slow down the process and guarantee a long service life even in high temperatures, ContiTech has developed an air spring for high-temperature applications - the hi-temp air spring. It is based on a compound comprising chloroprene rubber (CR) as the main component and is marked with the symbol of a sun. "Tests in a climate chamber have shown that the new hi-temp air spring offers twice the service life of a standard product in extreme temperatures of 80°C," says Bauch. "This makes it the ideal solution for use under aggressive temperature influences - also outside the subtropics."

Brochure provides comprehensive overview of air spring original equipment
Lightweight and yet robust in application at the same time - these are characteristics of the air springs from ContiTech Air Spring Systems. In order to save as much weight as possible, the company manufactures its adapter parts from plastic instead of steel and aluminum. The low weight saves fuel and increases payload. Expertise in lightweight design technology is a topic covered in the image brochure for commercial vehicle original equipment, which is now also available in Russian. The brochure reflects the company's expertise in development for buses, trucks, and trailers. In addition to lightweight design technology, it focuses on resistance to high and low temperatures, compact design, air damping and coatings, and new technologies such as the Continental Air Spring Leveling System.

Download press release (MS-Word)

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