Thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) hose development for fluid transfer systems of next generation vehicles

Electrification, weight reduction, sustainability, and carbon emissions reduction goals have gained significant importance in the automotive sector over the past decade. In the context of fluid transfer systems, thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) hoses offer various advantages compared to rubber hoses. TPV hoses contribute to weight reduction, being approximately 40% lighter, and exhibit sustainable characteristics due to their reprocessable nature. Moreover, they result in lower carbon emissions throughout the production and recycling cycles. Cost-wise, TPV hoses are advantageous, with improvements ranging from 40% to 55% compared to rubber hoses, making them suitable for the development and production of new automotive components. This research investigates the utilization of TPV, a member of the high-performance materials and technologies category, with a particular emphasis on its application in the automotive sector, specifically in the development and manufacturing of TPV hoses. The enhancement of polymer composites and manufacturing methods will contribute to the establishment of suitable techniques for mass production and to enhance the mechanical, thermal, and chemical stability of TPV hoses. Additionally, this study aims to target the production of reinforced automotive cooling hoses made from TPV as a competitive and sustainable alternative for next-generation vehicles. An assessment of the impact of TPV hoses on vehicles and sustainability strategies will be conducted, comparing them to EPDM hoses.