Numerical investigation of the impact strength of an oil pan designed with plastic materials for diesel engines under different temperature conditions

Restriction on the vehicle side in terms of both emission and fuel consumption are continuous increase nowadays with the developing technology. Apart from the emission systems developed in this context, lightening requirements on the vehicle side are important. Better fuel economy is achieved during the operating time of the vehicles by weight reduction. Internal combustion engines which one of the heaviest components on the vehicle are an important part for weight reduction. Significant progress was made in engine parts with aluminum that is lighter than cast iron. Replacing cast iron and steel with lighter materials such as aluminum and plastics; it provides positive progress like performance, environmental impact, and expense. In this study, a design suitable for injection molding was made from thermoplastic material for the wet type of oil sump, which preserves the engine oil rotating in both bearings and lubrication channels in internal combustion engines. With this design, a high degree of lightening has been achieved in the oil pan, which is generally made of aluminum and manufacturing steel parts in internal combustion engines. Using the finite element analysis software Hypermesh, the strength of the oil pan modeled with PA6-GF30, PA66-GF30, PPA-GF30, PBT-GF30 and PA9T-GF30 materials was examined according to different stone impact scenarios. In order to examine the effect of the behavior of materials at different temperatures on the behavior of the oil pan, stress-strain curve data at temperatures of -40°C, 23°C and 100°C were used. Damage caused by two different types of stone models hitting the oil pan at different angles and speeds was observed. The amount of collapse occurring in the impact area and the energy values absorbed by the oil pan at the time of impact were examined and the results were compared. As a result, it has been determined that PA6-GF30 and PA66-GF30 materials are more suitable for oil pan design than other materials.