The ceramic-based material that originally allowed F1 teams to exploit the ‘blown diffuser’ aerodynamic advantage has made its road car debut on Aston Martin’s One-77.
Developed by Oxfordshire-based Zircotec, the ThermoHold for composites material is applied to both the car’s diffuser and underbonnet air intakes, enabling Aston Martin’s designers to specify lightweight and aesthetic materials for high temperature environments. “Composites are often unsuited to high temperature environments,” said Zircotec’s managing director, Terry Graham. “Traditionally this leads to vehicle makers opting for more conservative materials that add weight or they rely on bulky heatshields that ultimately blunt performance. Our discreet ceramic coating protects the One-77 composites components and in the case of the diffuser, enables exhaust gases to pass through, just as they did in F1.” www.zircotec.com
