Posted to News on 7th Nov 2006, 00:00
Adhesive repels tank attack
Norfolk-based motor sport technology specialist BERU F1 systems has substantial experience in the delivery of robust wring solutions to the F1 industry. The company designs, develops and manufactures wiring components, sensors, stress measurement systems and composite parts. Its parts are used by every F1 team and in many other motorsport formulas. In its latest generation of wiring harnesses for F1 and endurance vehicles BERU F1 Systems is enhancing the performance and reliability of connectors in the critical fuel tank environment by potting them in an advanced epoxy compound from 3M.
"Because inspection of the connectors in the fuel tank is so difficult, we need to do anything we can to minimise the risk of failure," explains Gary Norman, principal engineer at BERU F1 Systems. "We use 3M materials a lot in harness construction and they are our first port of call when we have a problem to solve. In this case, we identified DP490 as an ideal solution."
DP490 is an advanced, filled, structural epoxy adhesive. It offers one of the best combinations of high strength and toughness in the 3M range of versatile EPX structural adhesives and combines high bonding performance with gap filling abilities and ease of working, characteristics that come to the fore in the BERU F1 Systems application. For the fuel tank application BERU F1 Systems built a special mould that was used to encapsulate the special Souriau motorsport connector which connects the pump in DP490, together with the first 25mm of the power and control cable. The high strength epoxy material resists all the conditions in the fuel tank and, when the connector is assembled, it prevents any fuel entering the wiring system.
3M United Kingdom Plc (Abrasives Systems Division)
3M Centre
Cain Road
RG12 8HT
UNITED KINGDOM
44 8705 360 036
