Press Release
ContiTech
Air Spring Systems
ContiTech Develops Truck Air Springs
for Extreme Temperatures
 Comprehensive materials expertise forms the basis for new developments
 Cold-resistant air springs remain elastic down to -55°C
 Hi-temp air springs have a long service life, even at extreme temperatures
Hanover, August 2015. The temperature resistance requirements of air spring systems are
becoming increasingly stringent. Extreme temperatures in particular present major challenges for
developers and manufacturers. “It is only possible to develop temperature-resistant elastomer
products that can withstand high temperatures above zero or icy minus temperatures with
comprehensive materials expertise,” says Diethelm Bauch, head of Commercial Vehicle Original
Equipment at ContiTech Air Spring Systems. “Our decades of experience in regions with extreme
climates and our extensive knowledge in development set us apart. As such, we are experiencing
an ever-increasing demand from commercial vehicle manufacturers for these high-tech products.”
The reason for this also lies in the growing global importance of logistics, with trucks and semitrucks being used increasingly in regions dominated by especially hot or cold ambient
temperatures. However, both extremes impose high requirements on vehicle components.
Standard materials do not withstand the extreme stresses. For this reason, ContiTech Air Spring
Systems has brought two new types of air spring onto the market for its customers in Commercial
Vehicle Original Equipment: air springs from the Arktis series for use in especially cold areas and
hi-temp air springs for use in high temperatures above zero.
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.
1/3
Your contact:
Antje Lewe, phone: +49 511 938-1304
-2“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 snowflake 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 hitemp 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.”
So that it can develop and test the different requirements in practice, ContiTech operates its own
laboratories worldwide as well as a certified test center in Hanover, which is able to simulate not
only heat and cold but also road tests. “This reduces development times and strengthens our role
as a development partner,” says Bauch. And it's not just about extreme temperature resistance,
but also about the many individual requirements of customers that are intended to make
commercial vehicles safe, comfortable, and more economical.
2/3
Your contact:
Antje Lewe, phone: +49 511 938-1304
-3Caption CT_AS_Kälteluftfeder_OEM.jpg
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.
Photo: ContiTech
Continental develops intelligent technologies for transporting people and their goods. As a reliable partner,
the international automotive supplier, tire manufacturer, and industrial partner provides sustainable, safe,
comfortable, individual, and affordable solutions. In 2014, the corporation generated sales of approximately
€34.5 billion with its five divisions, Chassis & Safety, Interior, Powertrain, Tire, and ContiTech. Continental
currently employs approximately 200,000 people in 53 countries.
The ContiTech division is one of the world's leading suppliers of technical elastomer products and is a
specialist in plastics technology. It develops and produces functional parts, components, and systems for
machine and plant engineering, mining, the automotive industry, and other important industries. Together
with U.S. company Veyance Technologies Inc., which was acquired at the beginning of 2015, ContiTech
generated sales of approximately €5.4 billion (pro forma basis) in 2014 and currently employs approximately
41,000 people in 34 countries worldwide.
Contact for journalists
Antje Lewe
Spokeswoman
Head of Media & Public Relations
ContiTech AG
Phone: +49 511 938-1304
Cell phone: +49 160 4767260
E-mail: antje.lewe@contitech.de
www.contitech.de
Elvira Kluth
Head of Communication, Air Spring Systems
ContiTech AG
Phone: +49 511 938-1092
E-mail: elvira.kluth@contitech.de
www.contitech.de
This press release is available in the following languages: German, English
Links
Press releases and photos are available for download at www.contitech.de/press
Your contact:
Antje Lewe, phone: +49 511 938-1304