Automotive - News

Mar 11, 2010 - LIMO Beam Shaping Systems Boost the Efficiency of Plastics Welding Processes

LIMO beam shaping systems boost the efficiency of plastics welding processes significantly. Conventional quasi-simultaneous welding with scanner can be replaced by a fully simultaneous welding process. A Tier 1 parts manufacturer in the automotive industry already uses this beam shaping system successfully for the production of fuel supply systems.
Mar 09, 2010 - BASF and Hyundai at the Geneva Motor Show

Hyundai and BASF are presenting their jointly developed i-flow concept car at the Geneva Motor Show. Visitors can get a first-hand view of the technologies and materials involved at Hyundai's booth 1031 in Hall 1. These innovations have not been combined in automobiles to date and illustrate possibilities for mobility in the future.
Mar 09, 2010 - Nanocyl and 3B-Fibreglass Announce Joint Agreement for Developing CNT-Sized Glass Fibers

Nanocyl has reached an agreement with 3B for the joint development of innovative CNT glass fibers for the growing thermoplastic and structural composite markets. The new CNT glass fibers will provide both the electrical conductivity and the improved shear, impact and de-lamination properties for developing the next generation of composite materials.
Mar 08, 2010 - First Airbox for Motorcycles made of Ultramid from BASF

The sportiest and most powerful motorcycle from BMW, the new S 1000 RR, draws its combustion air from an intake system with a built-in air filter function made from Ultramid® B3WGM24 HP, an extremely dimensionally stable polyamide (PA) from BASF. In motorcycle design, this component is called an airbox.
Mar 08, 2010 - Ticona Introduces Low-Swell Fortron® PPS for Use in Aggressive Auto Fuel Systems

Ticona announced the availability of Fortron® 6162XF, a mineral/glass-reinforced polyphenylene sulfide(PPS) with superior fuel resistance for customers that are developing applications for use in aggressive fuels. The new advanced fuel resistant Fortron PPS grade has reduced weight gain by more than 45 percent compared to Fortron 6165A6.
Mar 05, 2010 - Stanyl PA 4,6 Resin from DSM Ensures Safer Mobility for People with Disablity

The joysteer® X-by-wire system with precision gears made of Stanyl® PA 46 resin from DSM Engineering Plastics is now in commercial production for the handicapped market and available from car modification companies in Switzerland, Germany and the Benelux. This rapid development from prototype to successful commercialisation was achieved by the Swiss company Bozzio.
Mar 04, 2010 - BASF Provides Exclusive Technology for Run-flat Tires

BASF Polyurethane Solutions announced that it has entered into an agreement with Dynamic Runflats, Inc. (DRI), a wholly owned subsidiary of Defense Venture Group based in Indian Land, South Carolina, to manufacture and market run-flat tire components and systems for military and other applications.
Mar 03, 2010 - DuPont Performance Polymers Launches A New Family of Nylon Products

A new family of nylon products from DuPont Performance Polymers - DuPont™ Zytel® PLUS nylon - delivers excellent performance levels and importantly maintains those excellent performance levels much longer than traditional nylons despite exposure to hot oil, hot air, calcium chloride and other aggressive automotive chemicals.
Mar 01, 2010 - First Commercial Application of Baytubes® Carbon Nanotubes in Japan

Aqueous suspensions of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) containing individual tubes offer interesting perspectives for a number of new applications. An interesting development using multifilament yarns is a new fabric heater made by weaving CNTEC® conductive yarns from Kuraray Living Co., Ltd. It generates heat homogeneously all over the surface because of its outstanding conductivity.
Feb 25, 2010 - Automotive Manufacturers Have New Source of Vinyl 'Microbeads' for Improving Thin-Skin Interior Components

Vinyl "microbeads" now available from Teknor Apex Company provide manufacturers of automotive instrument panels, airbag covers, and interior trim with brilliant molded-in color and appealing tactile properties while being simpler to process and less energy-intensive than powder blends and plastisols.
Feb 24, 2010 - Bayer MaterialScience Explores Opportunities for Polycarbonate Automotive Glazing in Japan

Bayer MaterialScience has agreed close technical cooperation with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Plastic Technology Co., Ltd. and Kyowa Industrial Co., Ltd. in the field of polycarbonate (PC) automotive glazing. The three partners are looking to drive forward technological developments for this application and the use of PC glazing in the Japanese automotive industry.
Feb 22, 2010 - Bac2 Diversifies Cleantech Materials Portfolio as Demand for Fuel Cell Plates Accelerates

Bac2, the cleantech materials company, has diversified its materials portfolio following a successful 2009 during which the company saw growing demand for its composite bipolar plates for fuel cell applications. The ElectroPhen® family of low-cost conductive polymers, which can be cured at room temperature, has been expanded.
Feb 22, 2010 - CNT Leader Nanocyl Appoints NRC as Commercial Partner for the Automotive Industry in Germany

Nanocyl announced it has appointed NRC to be its commercial partner for NC 7000 multiwall carbon nanotubes and Plasticyl™ thermoplastic concentrates marketed to automakers in Germany. NRC will serve as an extension of Nanocyl's business development team, supporting Dieter Nienhaus, Nanocyl's key account senior manager for Germany.
Feb 18, 2010 - Borealis Puts Auto Industry Innovation and Investment in Focus at VDI 2010

Pioneering low weight innovations for car giant BMW and a cutting-edge material step change by VW will be among the production efficiency and environmentally-friendly focused developments presented by Borealis, a leading provider of chemical and innovative plastics solutions, at the VDI's 34th International Plastics in Automotive Engineering Congress in Germany.
Feb 17, 2010 - Pur(e) Output - Hennecke at the JEC-Composites 2010

After a successful appearance at the 2009's JEC-Composites, Hennecke will also be present this year at the world's leading trade fair for composites. Attention will be focused on a new spray mixhead for large outputs and on trendsetting samples from the automotive sector.
Feb 15, 2010 - Angstron Patents New Class of Superior Nano Graphene Supercapacitor Electrode Materials

Nanotek Instruments, parent company of Angstron Materials Inc., has been issued U.S. Patent 7,623,340 for its development of a new high-performing class of meso-porous nanocomposites. The new nanocomposite provides a superior supercapacitor electrode material for uses that include hybrid electric vehicles (EVs), transportation and energy storage.
Feb 11, 2010 - Motonic Selects VICTREX® PEEK™ Polymer for Valve Seats in Compressed Natural Gas Regulators

Motonic Corporation, a leader in engineering technology and manufacturer of advanced parts for automobile engines, chose VICTREX® PEEK™ polymer to replace metal for the valve seats used in the pressure regulators in compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles. Material selection for valve seats is critical as a deformed valve seat can cause a leakage problem.
Feb 09, 2010 - LyondellBasell to Showcase Benchmark Products at VDI's Plastics in Automotive Engineering Conference in Germany

LyondelllBasell Industries will feature several new advanced polypropylene (PP) compounds at the Plastics in Automotive Engineering technical conference, which will be held on March 17 and 18 in Mannheim, Germany. The exhibit will focus on the company's new Softell PP compounds. The innovative resins have been selected by Opel to manufacture a variety of interior applications.
Feb 05, 2010 - Kynar® PVDF Resins Designed for Lithium-ion Batteries on Display at Advanced Automotive Batteries Conference

Arkema's Kynar® grades designed specifically for lithium-ion cells is on display at this year's Advanced Automotive Batteries Conference. Kynar® polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) resins are highly stable polymers that offer an exceptional balance of performance properties for use in both polymer and liquid cell lithium batteries.
Feb 04, 2010 - First Series Production using DirectSkinning Process with Aliphatic Polyurethane

DirectSkinning technology is a new production process that improves cost efficiency in the production of injection molded parts in a single step. It has now been used for the first time with an aliphatic polyurethane material in the series production of vehicle interior parts. A decorative panel has been jointly developed by fischer automotive systems and Bayer MaterialScience.
Feb 01, 2010 - Solutia Introduces Saflex® Q Series Advanced Acoustic Interlayer for Automotive Head Up Display Applications

Solutia Inc., the world leader in the production of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) interlayers, introduced its Saflex® Q series advanced acoustic product for automotive head up display (HUD) windshield applications. This next-generation technology provides significant weight saving benefits to automakers while delivering hi-tech display and acoustic comfort.
Jan 29, 2010 - PolyOne and MPC Inc. Produce Eco-Friendly Engine Cover for Award-Winning Ford Fusion Hybrid

MPC Inc. and PolyOne Corporation created an eco-friendly engine cover for the award-winning 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. MPC molds the engine cover from a metallic-effect PolyOne compound (Maxxam™ FX Metal), which mimics the luster of painted polymer versions, yet eliminates the extra energy requirements of traditional manufacturing and painting processes.
Jan 27, 2010 - Polyimide Bushings Support the Precise Control of EGR Valves

Gustav Wahler GmbH & Co. KG of Esslingen (Germany) uses bushings made of DuPont™ Vespel® TP polyimide to position and guide the cylindrical operating rods of EGR slip-in valves (EGR = Exhaust Gas Recirculation). Vespel® TP polyimide offers a combination of excellent friction and wear performance with a very low thermal expansion coefficient.
Jan 27, 2010 - The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Offers Versatility, Class-leading Efficiency, Safety and Comfort

In advance of its Canadian Premiere at the Montreal International Auto Show, Mercedes-Benz Canada is proud to officially welcome the addition of Sprinter to the Mercedes-Benz group of brands. Sprinter is a leader in the light-duty van segment, and this versatile vehicle continues to set the benchmark in technology, safety, fuel efficiency and performance.
Jan 22, 2010 - Toray Introduces Torasoft™ Cross-Linked Olefin Foams For Automotive Applications

Toray Plastics (America), Inc. PEF Division announced the introduction of new ToraSoft™ closed-cell foams for all automotive interior trim applications requiring a soft, luxurious feel, precise edges, and exceptional rebound. New ToraSoft™ foams are up to 70 percent softer than previous generations of Toray cross-linked olefin foams.
Jan 20, 2010 - Tried-and-Tested Advantages and Process Innovations - Hennecke at COMPOSITES 2010

For the machinery and plant manufacturer Hennecke, the American Composites Manufacturers Association's exhibition is exactly the right place to present process innovations in the field of the PUR-CSM polyurethane spray technology. The flexible spray technology fulfils the highest requirements in terms of reproducible component quality and an efficient use of materials.
Jan 18, 2010 - DuPont™ Sorona® Selected for Toyota's New SAI®

Toyota has adopted DuPont™ Sorona® renewably sourced polymer as material for the ceiling surface skin, sun visor and pillar garnish of its new SAI® model. DuPont™ Sorona® fibers also were selected as materials for optional Toyota floor mats. Renewably sourced materials comprise approximately 60% of the car's internal surface area.
Jan 18, 2010 - Rhodia Expands its MMI Confident Design™ technology for Predicting the Mechanical Behavior of Filled Polymers

A manufacturer that develops a part made of polyamide-based short fiber composites in partnership with Rhodia can benefit from the MMI Confident Design. With this technology, capable of precisely calculating the mechanical properties of fiber reinforced polymers, Rhodia helps ensure simulation of engineering plastics to be as predictive as that of steel.
Dec 31, 2009 - Maintaining Performance through Regular Filter Change

MANN+HUMMEL carried out a large number of trials on the engine test rig in Ludwigsburg, fitting new and used air filters on current naturally aspirated engines, and recorded unequivocal results. Measurements on a 3.5 litre V6 naturally aspirated petrol engine show that motorists often underestimate the importance of changing the air filter on a regular basis.
Dec 29, 2009 - Symalite® From Quadrant Specified for BMW Z4 Underbody Shielding and Wheel Arch Lining

Underbody shielding manufactured by Takeo Automotive Systems and made of SymaLITE® from Quadrant Plastics Composites has now been specified for the BMW Z4. The lightweight shielding covers a significant part of the car's underbody, resulting in an enhancement of its aerodynamics and a more comfortable, silent riding quality and better fuel efficiency.