The company will be showcasing a number of finished parts to demonstrate how its Araldite branded resin systems, components and adhesives help automotive manufacturers decrease weight and processing costs, improving fuel efficiency and the overall driving experience. These parts include:
- BMW HP4 race motorcycle – the first motorcycle to offer a full carbon frame and wheels. With a 7.8kg frame, 2.2kg front wheel and 3.1kg rear wheel, the bike boasts weight savings of 30% compared with an aluminium alternative
- Carbon-fibre torque tube for Mercedes AMG-GT R – powered by Araldite LY 8615/Aradur 8615 composite resin system, the torque tube is 40% lighter than its aluminium counterpart, significantly improving the driving experience of the car. Thanks to its integrated composite design, the need for metallic connecting flanges has been removed, allowing for extremely low weight to be achieved, while meeting huge torque loading (700Nm) and noise vibration harshness (NVH) requirements
- Hood interior stiffener – an Araldite composite resin system has enabled the development of car hoods with weights of less than 7.5kg – 50% lighter than their steel equivalents. The Araldite solution is suitable for continuous preparation of short fibres compound followed by rapid on-line maturation, and two-minute compression moulding under press at 160°C
Also on show will be an assembly carrier for Porsche GT3 Cup II and a BOXSTROM carbon hybrid composite wheel.
Nastassja Kelley, marketing director EMEAI at Huntsman Advanced Materials, commented: “We are seeing an increasing demand across the automotive industry for lightweight solutions that are suitable for use in high performance applications. Working with our customers to fully understand their needs, and adapting our solutions to meet these specifics, has enabled us to develop products that really push the boundaries of lightweighting. By demonstrating some of these parts at Composites Europe, we intend to show the industry what’s possible.”
Huntsman Advanced Materials is also one of the exhibitors on the event’s guided tour, Composites in the Automotive Industry 1, which will be visiting the booth on Wednesday 20 September at 11.30am.
www.huntsman.com
