DuPont drives home automotive efficiency at Chinaplas
DuPont Performance Polymers says it is showing its commitment to China's growing desire for sustainable solutions by exhibiting a number of materials for efficiency, lightweighting and improving fuel economy for the automotive industry at Chinaplas 2014.
The company says automotive lightweighting is at the top of its R&D agenda, with innovation centres around the world focused on reducing dependence on fossil fuels through the use of advanced polymer materials.
"Our work in lightweighting for the automotive industry, where we are replacing metals with our innovative polymer materials, is helping to reduce emissions and improve fuel economy," commented Colleen Pritchard, Regional Business Director for DuPont Performance Polymers in the Asia Pacific.
"At Chinaplas 2014 we will display a number of innovations which will significantly reduce component weight without compromising structural performance and sustainability, to help automakers reduce total vehicle weight, cut CO2 emissions and to build a secure energy future."
One such innovation is the company's DuPont Vizilon material, a developmental thermoplastic composite technology designed for structural or load-bearing automotive parts such as seat structures, lift-gates, cross members, bumper beams and suspension systems.
The company has undergone work with PSA Peugeot-Citroen on testing a side impact beam using the Vizilon material, which DuPont says delivered a 40 percent weight reduction compared to ultra high strength (UHHS) steel, while reportedly absorbing more energy than metal and short-glass fibre polymer beams. As a result, the material passed PSA Peugeot-Citroen's crash test.
The Vizilon material is also said to offer stiffness performance in temperatures from -40 to +90 degrees celsius, as well as outperforming polypropylene-based composites about +80 degrees celsius.
For under-the-hood applications, DuPont is showing its Zytel Plus material, said to not only withstand the harsh conditions in this part of a vehicle, but also reducing weight and cost of the manufacturing process of the parts.
"DuPont delivers extended capabilities as a leading high performance materials producer and continues to deliver winning applications, outstanding customer benefits and long-term sustainable solutions," commented Ryan Pang, Automotive Marketing Manager, Greater China. "Our strategy and innovation are fully aligned with the megatrends of the world, and we are dedicated to providing sustainable solutions for the future automotive industry."