SABIC is showing a number of prototype applications for the transportation segment at the IAA Commercial Vehicles Show, currently taking place in Hannover, Germany, until September 29.
The company is targeting the commercial vehicles market with its UDMAX range of composite fiber reinforced unidirectional (UD) tapes that can be used for various applications including a lightweight composite truck trailer floor panel, side walls and bulkhead.
“Replacing traditional heavy materials such as steel and wood, with lightweight structures that contain thermoplastic UDMAX tapes results in many potential benefits for fleet owners,” said Andrey Turchin, SABIC‘s FRT business leader. “For example, prototype-based calculations suggest that significant weight savings by using composites are possible. This enables a lower weight in their trailer, more available weight for transportation of goods, and lower fuel costs.”
Compared to other alternatives, SABIC said the tapes have short manufacturing cycle times and can be processed and deformed simply by applying heat, and are also recyclable. Available production techniques include lamination, weaving, overmolding, tape laying and filament winding.
UDMAX tapes are made using a proprietary HPFIT technology, which quickly and precisely enables the spread and combination of thousands of glass or carbon fibers with a thermoplastic matrix.
As a result, the tapes have a high density of fibers, high quality fiber impregnation in the resin matrix, minimal void content and fewer broken fibers, explained SABIC. They can be used to form composite materials that can in turn be used to manufacture components with sought-after performance compared to alternative materials.
Source: China Plastic & Rubber Journal
