The resins are designed to help auto makers lightweight their vehicles in response to the new US Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. According to the US Department of Energy's Vehicle Technologies Office, a 10% reduction in vehicle weight can result in a 6-8% fuel-economy improvement.
Mike Sumner, group leader for SMC, Gelcoat and Marine Resin, and Laura Gigas, product manager, Unsaturated Polyester Resins, Ashland Performance Materials, will be making a presentation at the ACCE entitled Customer Driven Development of Low Density Class A SMC with Improved Mechanical Properties.
“Lower-density sheet moulding compounds (SMC) introduced in the recent past did not provide sufficient strength and toughness while still maintaining Class A finish required for use in exterior body panels,” Sumner says.
“Ashland has developed a 1.2 density Class A SMC material with higher physical properties including up to a 40% increase in flex and tensile strength and a 20% increase in modulus and elongation as compared to existing technology. The material also demonstrates increased substrate adhesion and impact resistance.”
The Automotive Composites Conference & Exposition (ACCE) is organised by the Society of Plastic Engineers (SPE) Automotive and Composites Divisions and takes place on 8-11 September in Novi, Michigan. The event aims to educate automotive engineers about the benefits of thermoset and thermoplastic composites in passenger vehicles, light trucks and other ground transportation applications.
