The companies say that the current main development initiated by Kringlan Composites has been the design and production of a full carbon fibre-reinforced composite wheel for high performance cars. TenCate has been involved in the development of the thermoplastic composite material, which has been qualified for this purpose. This development now reaches the final phase in order to enter series production.
Ten Carte and Kringlan add that the focus of the deal will be on high performance parts that enhance safety and reduce weight. Composite wheels are highly effective to generate weight reduction and reduced fuel consumption. Acceleration of light weight wheel will cost less energy and lowers the CO2 emission of the vehicle. The weight reduction per wheel is 30-40%.
The use of thermoplastic composites enables series production, because of the much shorter production time. A wheel is a complex and technical part, which also includes welding technology. The wheel should have a high impact resistance and is sometimes part of the safety structure, which calls for an advanced and high performance composites material. In recent years, Kringlan Composites has developed a patented technology which can be used in the future for the series production of composites wheels, which comply with the highest performance standards.
