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A place for everything
Breaking away from conventional packaging with innovative materials and techniques will open up new opportunities in concept design, says Andrew Noakes |
01/01/2009
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T1 for technology
The Caparo T1 with its stunning performance might be making all the headlines but the real work going on at the company behind it, is designing lightweight composite systems for future road cars. Ian Adcock reports |
01/01/2009
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Inside knowledge
Although buyers can be seduced by the appearance of a vehicle, they spend the vast majority of their time inside it looking out rather than admiring its looks. The interior has therefore become a major selling point for modern cars. Ian Adcock looks at the materials that are making a difference |
01/09/2008
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Glazing over
Developments in plastic materials and processes are allowing increased functionality in roof modules while reducing weight, but glass is far from redundant. Steve Snook reports on the latest systems |
01/06/2008
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At the end of the road
Although end of life vehicle legislation in Europe may have been replaced by climate change and carbon footprint as topics for debate within the automotive industry, there is still much to be achieved in the 'simple' area of dealing with our vehicles at the end of their natural lives. Steve Snook reports |
01/05/2008
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A small matter of materials
Materials scientists would have us believe the best way to achieve properties at the macro scale is to put more emphasis on designing materials at the nano or even atomic scale. Will this help us build better vehicles? Steve Snook finds huge potential – and huge problems |
01/04/2008
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Finished articles
There is a wider selection of polymer interior surface effects than ever, but raw material price rises are forcing some creative thinking. Steve Snook reports |
01/02/2008
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Cat ceramic has ultra-thin walls
Corning has developed a ceramic substrate for catalytic converters with ultra thin walls that it says will increase engine power and reduce fuel consumption by lowering exhaust system back pressure. |
01/01/2008
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Compaction stations!
The strength, stiffness and fatigue resistance of compacted graphite iron are well known, but now process improvements are driving the material's adoption. Jeff Daniels reports |
01/01/2008
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Motorised tailgates use combined materials
In pursuing its modular strategy, Plastic Omnium Auto Exterior has developed new solutions in three fields – motorised rear access doors, vehicle front ends and bumpers. |
01/11/2007
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TPEs for vibration damping
Two new grades of Zeon thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) have been developed to give specific properties useful to automotive engineers.
Zeotherm 100-60B has been formulated to give parts improved vibration dampening and a rubber-like flexibility (Shore A value of 62) while maintaining a sustained heat resistance to 150ºC with repeated excursions to 175ºC.
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01/11/2007
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PA46 targets underbonnet applications
A high performance grade of PA46 has been formulated especially for under-the-bonnet applications. Stanyl Diablo OCD2100 is said to extend the functional life of components well beyond the limits of other high temperature polyamides. |
01/11/2007
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Elastomer meets filler neck hose demands
Filler neck hoses are key components in a fuel system. They must provide a flexible connection between the filler pipe and the fuel tank and be strong enough to withstand significant crash impact without fracture and fuel leakage, while providing an impermeable barrier to evaporative emissions (in compliance Euro 4 and US Lev II and PZEV requirements). |
01/10/2007
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Mixed blessings
Hybrid structures that optimise the capabilities of both metals and plastics are well established. Steve Snook looks at developments that will extend their application |
01/10/2007
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Polyamide water hoses now more flexible
Polyamide 12 multilayer tubing systems (MLTs) for coolant lines are now even more flexible, thanks to a modification carried out at the molecular level by scientists at Degussa. No plasticiser has been added. |
01/10/2007
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Tyre technology rolls onwards
Tyres are becoming high-tech components, the latest of which can measure forces within their structures and integrate directly with safety systems. Jeff Daniels reports on developments in rubber and electronics |
01/10/2007
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RTV silicones protect critical electronics
Working with a major Tier One supplier has allowed a specialist supplier of room temperature vulcanising (RTV) silicones to share new knowledge on the effective sealing of electronic assemblies. |
01/10/2007
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Gas injection used on PA66 water pipes
Cooling-water pipes are exposed to high temperatures and aggressive environment. At the same time they have to provide long-term leak resistance despite internal pressures of almost 2 bar. Consequently they have been traditionally manufactured from metal. |
01/09/2007
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TPU-PA parts to replace rubber-metal
An alternative to costly rubber-metal composite components for damping vibrations in chassis systems uses a novel cross-linked thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and a high strength glass-fibre reinforced polyamide (PA66) produced in a single process, writes Roger Bishop. |
01/09/2007
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Super soft foam breakthroughs for car interiors
Car-makers are placing strenuous demands on foam materials. They must be durable while offering good haptic properties, flexible, robust, odourless and have low emission values.
These requirements are said to be met by Alveolit TP EE and Alveo-Soft, the latest polyolefin foams developed by Sekisui Alveo AG.
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01/09/2007
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High flow plastics cut process costs
DSM Engineering Plastics has introduced what it calls ‘high flow, high productivity’ materials to offer substantial system cost reductions by shortening injection moulding production cycles and allow greater design freedom in parts. To back up its claims, the company is providing customers with product cost analysis spreadsheet tools. |
01/09/2007
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