AUTOMOTIVE | MATERIALS
Automotive applications are making ever greater demands on materials. Mikell Knights finds out how thermoplastics are successfully adapting to these demands
Thermoplastics go from strength to strength
To replace metals in demanding automotive applications, thermoplastics must address issues such as stiffness, conductivity, fire retardancy and other properties. Companies in the plastics sector are responding with innovations that enable thermoplastic materials to be used in difficult applications such as structural components, EV battery enclosures and more. Thermoplastic composites continue to diversify in terms of material composition, with lightweight- ing, high strength-to-weight ratios, excellent durability, processability, recyclability and cost- savings helping the materials make in-roads in automotive applications. Engel partnered with KTM Technologies, an Austrian motorcycle manufacturer to develop a new thermoplastic composite technology based on a uni-directional (UD) tape sandwich process that delivers parts with greater stiffness, less weight and low production costs.
www.injectionworld.com
The composite technology was applied in the development of a motorcycle seat base that would be more compact and lighter compared to the thermoplastic injection moulded seat base cur- rently used while also retaining the same part properties. Engel contributed its expertise in lightweight production technologies and industri- alisation while KTM Technologies is responsible for conception and product-specific technological development. The rising trend of drivetrain electrification,
meaning the need to accommodate increasing numbers of electronic components on a vehicle, drives a need to find space on the vehicle, said Hans Lochner, Head of Material and Applications at KTM Technologies. Rethinking the seat base as a more compact component to free up more installation space for the electronics presented the opportunity for thermoplastic composites. Seat bases for KTM motorcycles have previously
January/February 2024 | INJECTION WORLD 33
Main image: Celanese has developed Zytel PA XMP specifically to support metal replacement in EV chassis components
IMAGE: CELANESE
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