DuPont is focusing on thermoplastic composites as part of its global strategy to develop technologies that reduce emphasis on fossil fuels.
DuPont’s global business manager of thermoplastic composites, David Glasscock, told Plastics Today, “We’re looking at designs that can provide structure in a car while also reducing weight…Our goal is to develop automotive composites that can be produced in cycle times of less than one minute.”
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This would be considerably better than traditionally-used thermoset composites, which often have cycle times of several minutes.
Glasscock said a side impact beam made of nylon 6,6 and woven glass laminate reduced weight by 60%. The composite is 63% glass by weight.
Weight can further be reduced by using beams made with carbon fibre, which are being tested by DuPont.
Stephane Delalande, an engineer specialising in plastic and composites at PSA Peugeot Citroën – DuPont’s research partner – said, “In order to be one of the first car manufacturers to comply with the 95 grams per kilometre of C02 emissions 2020 regulation, PSA Peugeot Citroën are carrying out a number of R&D projects focusing on powertrain and performance in low-emission vehicles. One of the key research directions is the reduction of vehicle mass, with the goal of reducing total weight by at least 200 kg between 2020 and 2025. For this reason, increasing the use of composite materials constitutes a breakthrough solution to continue leading the way in controlling emissions.”
