BASF and STR Automotive have collaborated for the first time to adopt the new material Elastolit® R 8819 lightweight material for mass production of luxury car parts. Compared with the traditional PU-RRIM material process, this new process greatly reduces the weight of the part, which can reduce the thickness of the part that is usually 3 mm to less than 2.5 mm, and will not adversely affect the processing, quality or mechanical properties. .
Reduce weight with Elastolit®
The front and rear bumpers of small cars are generally made of short-fiber-reinforced polyurethane (PU-RRIM) with a wall thickness of 3 mm. Previous attempts to reduce weight by reducing the thickness of parts or using special filler combinations and correspondingly lower density materials have failed because of insufficient mechanical properties such as mechanical strength, stiffness and impact strength of the resulting parts. In addition, the process fails the climate change test.
To this end, BASF and STR Automotive conducted in-depth exchanges and cooperation, and proposed a technical solution to this problem, that is, high temperature PU, high stiffness, high impact strength PU base material.
Jürgen Schneider, from the Technical Development Department of Lemfeld BASF Polyurethanes Co., Ltd. explains: "By improving the performance of the base material, designers can make significantly thinner parts without compromising quality." For applications, Elastolit® R 8819 lightweight materials can be combined with different filling materials: mineral standard fibers can be used for components such as rear bumpers; mineral and carbon fiber combinations can be used for vertical components such as side panels with low thermal expansion coefficients; carbon fibers and lightweight Hollow glass bead combinations can be used for parts with special weight reduction requirements.
Working together for success
Guiseppe Monaco, Key Account Manager, Performance Materials, SpA, BASF, Italy, said: "The successful launch of this new product is inseparable from our close cooperation with STR Automotive. STR Automotive is an innovation expert who will enrich its component construction and manufacturing expertise Bring to our team to provide support in the early stages of the development of existing component materials. "
In the first series of components made from Elastolit® R 8819 lightweight material, the weight per square meter of surface area has been reduced by 600 grams. For the rear fender, this means a weight reduction of up to 1.5 kg. STR Automotive was founded in 2002. The company's CEO, Dr. Massimo Cecchini, was very pleased with the results and stated, "By combining new materials and compatible fillers, we have an excellent set of tools to meet different needs. For our customers, getting Good quality components are important. Weight loss must not come at the expense of quality, and it must have a balanced price / performance ratio. "
This Italian expert in the field of automotive interior and exterior trim also believes that the material has great application prospects due to its higher temperature stability. This means that the material can also be applied to other areas, such as engine compartments.