With General Motors (GM) announcing recently that it is working towards an all-electric, zero emissions future, electric vehicles (EV) are revolutionizing the automotive sector.
What is an EV?
An EV is powered fully, or partially, by an electric motor and battery pack. Unlike hybrid vehicles, electric cars charge their battery packs by plugging into the electric grid and have dedicated all-electric driving distances. Unlike internal combustion engines, electric motors provide instant torque and smoother acceleration, and they are also more durable and efficient. As a result, electric cars are cheaper to operate and maintain than their gasoline-powered equivalents.
There are two types of EV’s available in the market today. Fully electric EV’s are powered 100 percent by electricity and have zero tailpipe emissions. These vehicles can travel 200-400 km on a single charge. Plug-in hybrid EV’s use small battery packs for short all-electric driving distances (20-80 km) before a gasoline engine or generator engages for longer trips.
Electric Vehicle Battery Packs
The most critical and demanding component in an EV is the battery. In EV’s, a Lithium ion (Li-ion) battery is used to power the car. Protecting the battery against degradation and failure is essential to the operability and performance of an EV. The seals used around the battery pack are critical for ensuring battery life, reliability and safety.
Electric Vehicle Battery Pack Seals
In EV’s, battery packs are usually placed inside enclosures consisting of an upper and lower housing. Gaskets or seals are used to separate these sections and prevent the ingress of water, dust, moisture, and salt into the battery pack. Should these elements find their way into an EV battery pack, battery life and performance can be significantly degraded.
Besides sealing against the ingress of environmental elements, electric vehicle battery pack seals perform several other key functions. The seals help to control and regulate heat produced by the battery pack, and they also prevent the fugitive emission of gas and liquids. Finally, electric vehicle battery pack seals perform an important function in helping to dampen noise and vibration that could degrade the battery pack or annoy vehicle occupants.
Electric Vehicle Battery Pack Seals from CRG
Through long-term partnerships with leading raw material manufacturers, CRG produces and supplies battery pack seals for EV applications. These seals are produced under strictly controlled conditions in our ISO 9001-certified facility using the latest CNC production technology.
CRG battery pack seals provide optimal sealing conditions for EV battery units. We manufacture EV battery pack seals from a range of materials, including kSil™ V-O silicone sponge. kSil™ V-O sponge is especially formulated to protect EV battery packs from environmental elements such as water, moisture and dust, reducing the risk of failure. Due to its excellent compression set and closed cell structure, kSil™ V-O provides super sealing capabilities over a long lifespan. The extreme temperature resistance (-60°C to 230°C) of kSil™ V-O makes it an ideal material for use in EV battery pack applications where temperatures can fluctuate.
kSil™ V-O closed cell silicone sponge is flame retardant to UL94v-O and possesses low smoke and low toxicity properties, improving the safety, reliability and lifespan of EV battery packs. Because density is a crucial factor to consider when choosing a material for an application, CRG can provide guidance and support for choosing the right kSil™ V-O density for your electric vehicle battery pack seal application.
If you are sourcing electric vehicle battery pack seals, CRG is ready to work with you. For over 25 years, CRG has helped leading automakers like General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, and Mercedes-Benz to solve their toughest materials and parts challenges. From prototyping to finished part production, we have the experience and know-how to address your EV battery seal needs.
To find out more about the electric vehicle battery pack seals which CRG can supply, please contact our sales department at crg@canadarubbergroup.com.