Improving Automotive Structures with SolvaLite®
Body In White (BIW) structures are essential to the entire framework of an automotive application, so the involved materials must be exceptionally durable with high surface quality, good adhesion, and outstanding reinforcement properties. Closures, consisting of the front and rear doors, hood, and trunk lid, are also crucial to vehicles and need high-performance materials. These high-volume automotive applications greatly benefit from SolvaLite® thermoset resins with carbon or glass reinforcement and SolvaLite® surfacing films with polyester at different Tg.
- Fast curing speeds: SolvaLite® offers curing speeds of under 10 minutes at 150°C, unlocking access to serial production. As an example, some of the SolvaLite range can be cured quickly enough to allow part manufacture every 60 secs - whereas traditional autoclaved materials would be measured in cycle times of hours (at least 2 hrs, typically).
- Outstanding mechanical properties: SolvaLite® offers exceptional mechanical properties with high resistance to external factors such as chemicals and impacts
- Compatibility with automated processes: SolvaLite® is press and autoclave compatible, optimized for compression molding and double diaphragm forming
- Complementary products: SolvaLite® surfacing films and thermoset resins were specially engineered to work together to provide superior part performance
- Excellent adhesion: SolvaLite® offers good adhesion to automotive paints and primers, making it an ideal solution for high-volume applications
- Improved surface quality: applications boast a very smooth and flat-cured surface with visual-quality performance when enhanced with SolvaLite®
- Minimal rework: SolvaLite® requires minimal rework if necessary on surface films before painting
- SolvaLite® prepreg resins are available in an ever growing range of carbon and glass reinforcements
- Strong product robustness: SolvaLite® is a versatile, durable solution, well-suited for an abundance of essential automotive components
Benefits for the planet, benefits for all:
- Production Efficiency: Rapid processing using press-tools that are maintained at a constant temperature and therefore less energy-input is needed compared to traditional autoclave processing.
- Energy Efficiency: Composites have a higher strength to weight ratio and will, therefore, reduce the energy consumption during the lifecycle of manufactured goods when compared to traditional aluminium and steel materials.
- Resource Efficiency: Composites show better fatigue resistance which extends the life span of the parts.
- Safety & Prevention: Thanks to composites, passenger areas can be designed to significantly enhance safety.
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