Covestro (Covestro) released a new thermoplastic composite material, to bring new options to automotive designers, make the car more beautiful. Maezio ™ continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites provide high-quality surfaces through unidirectional carbon fiber optical materials and polycarbonate substrates. It is understood that Chinese startup NIO has applied this material to the wheels of its all-electric models ES8 and ES6.
The new wheels use aluminum rims and are embedded with carbon fiber inserts to make the vehicle lighter and more luxurious, with excellent aerodynamic performance. With a unidirectional carbon fiber texture and multiple processing options, Maezio ™ composite materials create a more unique automotive appearance.
For aesthetics, the choice of resin is crucial. The surface quality and optical properties of polycarbonate are good. And compatible with a variety of coatings and decorative processes, can create a unique surface effect. The matte coating of the wheel developed with this material not only maintains the beauty of unidirectional fibers, but also has protection.
Technological breakthrough
Due to the often harsh environment, people are increasingly demanding automotive exteriors. Combined with the coating system, composite wheel blades withstand strict safety and performance requirements, such as impact, chemistry, and weather resistance. Maezio ™ 's Makrolon® polycarbonate matrix has high thermal stability, so wheel blades can withstand brake-induced temperatures of up to 150 ° C.
Seamless integration
Composite materials need to be compatible and integrated with other materials in a multi-material system in order to be widely used in automobiles. During processing, due to the thermoplastic matrix system, Maezio ™ composites are easily connected to functional components, such as by injection molding. When embedded in the wheel blades, they are connected to the aluminum spokes of the wheels through the back-mold screw bosses made of polycarbonate. This common resin material makes the bonding behavior simple and strong.
Second life
To reduce the environmental impact of automobiles, manufacturers are looking for materials that are easy to recycle and reuse. At the end of its useful life, Maezio ™ composites can be recycled by cutting and remelting; or reground into short-fiber compounds for injection molding processes to help electric vehicle manufacturers improve sustainability performance.
Lisa Ketelsen, Head of Thermoplastic Composites at Covestro, said: "We hope to use the advantages of thermoplastic composites to help the automotive industry reach new heights."