Huntsman (hall 6, stand K32) will unveil a new polyurethane and epoxy-based composites portfolio at JEC World 2024 in early March, which features a range of innovative technologies that can support the automotive industry’s transition towards electrified vehicles.
The portfolio includes novel composite solutions that can help automotive manufacturers and their tier suppliers optimise production processes; reduce environmental impact; and maximise the performance and lifetime of vehicle components as the drive for cleaner, lighter vehicles continues to accelerate.
Innovations available for customers to explore will include RIMLINE RSM system - a brand new glass fibre-reinforced, polyurethane composite technology developed for rear seat pan applications. Aligned with the needs of the automotive sector, which is increasingly reliant on composite technologies to help increase vehicle range, Huntsman’s RIMLINE RSM system can support compact, lightweight, simplified design configuration requirements. Enabling the potential for high part integration capabilities, the technology is applied via reaction spray moulding, making it ideal for creating complex geometrical shapes. It can offer very good fibre impregnation for good surface quality. It also cures quickly after spraying and can be demoulded fast for an efficient production cycle.
Other innovative products under the spotlight at Huntsman’s JEC exhibition booth will include a portfolio of customisable, quick cure, high strength polyurethane resins that can be used to house batteries in electric vehicles. These VITROX and RIMLINE systems can be used to create composite components for underbody and upper cover battery protection applications up to 30% quicker than some existing technologies. Enabling high performing composites alongside extra design and production flexibility capabilities, the range includes products that can offer lower overall part weight and increased strength as well as improved structural performance – and were developed to be suitable for integration in electric vehicles. Solutions are available for wet compression moulding (WCM), core moulding, high-pressure resin transfer moulding (HP-RTM) and long fibre injection (LFI) moulding techniques – depending on end user requirements. All presented polyurethane technologies can also be offered as ISCC PLUS mass balance certified; helping to reduce attributed carbon footprint (GWP100 including biogenic CO2) by up to 50% - supporting customers working towards sustainability and net zero ambitions.
Visitors to JEC World will also be able to see the latest Araldite epoxy innovations and composite solutions developed for emerging battery electric and fuel cell electric mobility. A highlight will be the first UN ECE R134 certified 700 bar and 350-litre Type IV hydrogen tank manufactured by Voith Composites. The high-pressure vessel, produced via an optimised towpreg winding process, can be observed in hall 6, stand Q24 or in the JEC Innovation planet. Huntsman has developed an efficient resin system to help enhance towpreg materials' storage capabilities at room temperature; ensure precise rheology, tackiness, and cohesion of carbon fibre filaments; and enable swift impregnation and accurate placement during high-speed winding while maintaining thermo-mechanical performance.
Huntsman will also present its latest range of epoxy resin solutions developed for composite pressure vessels at the JEC World 2024 Composite Exchange – demonstrating how it is leveraging its innovation capabilities to support industries moving towards more sustainable solutions. The three main development routes to be presented will include:
Other innovations displayed will include the latest Araldite epoxy resin systems developed for composite battery enclosures, trays, and underbody shields, developed to help customers meet requirements which can include part specific structural, fire, thermal, environmental, and mass production requirements. Huntsman will showcase its range of intrinsic fire-retardant Araldite FST and unfilled mass production systems for WCM, RTM and HP-RTM processes that can enable short cycle times with low scrap rates.
Developed to help meet increasing demand for sustainable products and suppliers that support net zero targets, Huntsman can offer all epoxy resin systems presented at JEC World as Mass Balance Certified (MBC) from its REDcert2 certified production site. Araldite MBC epoxy resins can help customers reduce the carbon footprint of materials by up to 100% without compromising on performance, while avoiding lengthy and costly re-qualifications.
