Cytec worked with Continental Structural Plastics (CSP) to develop a prepreg specifically for the Spark battery enclosure.
“The ADVALITE resin served as the base resin for Cytec’s high volume MTM23 prepreg that is used on the Spark," explains Nigel Blatherwick, Global Strategic Marketing Director Cytec, Industrial Materials.
"The MTM23 had been adapted and mechanically characterised for high volume press mould processing, with good mechanical performance, controlled flow, excellent handling and self-release capability."
Cytec and Reichhold worked together through the prototype and production implementation phases of the battery tray, and Blatherwick says the companies will continue to develop the vinyl hybrid resin technology.
Advantages of ADVALITE
ADVALITE prepreg resins are monomer free, Reichhold reports, and in automotive headspace testing the cured laminate was demonstrated to be VOC-free.
The hot melt prepreg resins are said to exhibit excellent mechanical properties and temperature resistance up to 170ºC. They are cured using standard free radical inhibitors and initiators.
Prepregs produced using ADVALITE can either be adhesive filmed or direct coated to the reinforcements.
The resulting prepregs can be stored at room temperature for 12 months and can be snap cured at 120-150ºC.
When compared to epoxy resins ADVALITE's rapid rate of cure permits significantly reduced production cycle times, Reichhold claims.
