A glass filled thermoplastic composite used to make the roller-blind guide rails on the panoramic sunroof modules installed in Renault Scenic and Grand Scenic MPV models, is a winner at the JEC Innovation Awards.
The 15% glass-reinforced copolymer, compound of styrene maleic anhydride and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (SMA-GF) material, called Xiran SGH30EB, was manufactured by Netherlands-based Polyscope Polymers BV and was specified by Webasto France and the Groupe Renault in France.
The company says that this is the first time a thermoplastic composite material has successfully replaced aluminum for this type of sunroof design in a mass produced passenger car.
Using composite material also freed up 13 mm headspace for passengers and increased the angle of vision through the glass panel. Construction and installation of the sunroof on the Scenic and Grand Scenic vehicle was also simplified, Polyscope said.
This story uses material from Polyscope, with editorial changes made by Materials Today. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of Elsevier.
