South African bicycle manufacturer SwiftCarbon has introduced its Ultravox SSL frame design, which is reinforced with TeXtreme carbon fiber fabrics. According to the company, using TeXtreme resulted in a 24% improvement in strength-to-weight ratio.
TeXtreme is based on using spread tows instead of yarns to create lighter weight products.
‘The unique TeXtreme Technology and its Spread Tow carbon fiber materials reduce the amount of material needed while still delivering the same strength. This increases the strength-to-weight ratio for the new Ultravox SSL by 24% and also allows us to adapt the technology to full-carbon accessories like the headset and seat clamp,’ says Mark Blewett, founder of SwiftCarbon.
Mark continues, ‘SSL is a project that explores the boundaries of what’s possible in working with composites. We started out with us saying: ‘Imagine if…’ and wove together what we’ve learned by creating the ultra-light SwiftCarbon SCULP with months of scientific experimentation and the instinctual feeling you get from years of always working with the latest materials and manufacturing methods. TeXtreme is the perfect partner for us because we can work with their team of engineers, who really helped in reaching our weight and performance goals.’
In addition to the bicycle industry, current use of TeXtreme is prevalent in Formula 1, America’s Cup, NASCAR and Le Mans racing; in the manufacture of golf clubs, surfboards, tennis racquets, table tennis blades, rowing shells, skis, snowboards and ice hockey sticks; and in various industrial and advanced aerospace applications.
The Ultravox SSL will be available for the coming 2017 season.
This story is reprinted from material from TeXtreme, with editorial changes made by Materials Today. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of Elsevier.
