Henkel plans to introduce its new Loctite MAX 5 matrix resin for carbon fiber reinforced composite wheels at the JEC show taking place in Paris from 6–8 March. The new technology is designed to replace aluminum in chassis applications and follows the company’s development of Loctite MAX 2 for use in glass fiber reinforced leaf springs. The new resin has temperature resistance, toughness and long-term durability as well as rapid mold filling, thorough fiber impregnation and high curing rates for cost-efficient large volume production, the company said. The company will also be exhibiting Loctite UK 2032 adhesive for multi-substrate designs, following its introduction of Loctite UK 2015 at last year’s JEC show. Both adhesives are suitable for bonding structural parts made of composite materials with different coefficients of thermal expansion, from plastics to e-coated steel or aluminum. Henkel will also show various demonstration parts molded in new RTM test tools at the company’s Heidelberg Composite Lab. This includes thick leaf spring test parts as well as parts with a 3D geometry. ‘There is an ongoing strong trend for further light weighting in automotive, with a clear focus on chassis components and integrated multi-substrate designs engineered to meet the industry’s strict fleet fuel consumption and CO2 regulation targets,’ said Konrad Brimo Hayek, Senior Business Development Manager – Chassis, ADAS and Safety for Henkel.
This story is reprinted from material from Henkel, with editorial changes made by Materials Today. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of Elsevier.
