BASF, the global supplier of chemical solutions, is set to showcase its thermoplastic composites for the first time at the international AVK conference.
Thermoplastics Composites from BASF
Subsequent to this display, BASF will showcase its composites derived from continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastics at the Composites Europe trade show scheduled to be held from October 9 to 11, 2012 at Duesseldorf. BASF will occupy booth number A2 located in hall 8b. BASF will display a new design for a fiber composite with application in a sandwich roof module at the AVK conference.
The continuous-fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite from BASF is used in the seat pan of the new Opel Astra sports coupe, OPC, which was launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2012. The automobile has the distinction of being the first mass produced vehicle to incorporate an automobile seat pan manufactured from plastics belonging to BASF’s Ultramid polyamide range. Two Ultramid specialties were developed by BASF for use in the Opel Astra OPC. One is a short-fiber-reinforced and impact-modified grade of Ultramid employed in preform overmolding and the other is a non-reinforced Ultramid grade used for impregnating the glass-fiber fabric. The seat pan weight is reduced by 45% due to the lower thickness allowed for the wall as a result of improvement in strength of the laminate.
BASF has established a multi-material lightweight composites team that is studying the potential of epoxy resin, polyamide and PUR plastic matrix systems in continuous-fiber reinforcement employed in resin injection techniques like the resin transfer molding (RTM) which are meant for mass production. This topic is to be discussed at the trade fair.