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Cytec prepregs used for electric vehicle battery enclosures

Working together with Continental Structural Plastics (CSP), Cytec Industrial Materials has developed MTM 23, a tailored, self-releasing rapid-cure vinyl ester resin system, to satisfy the criteria for production of a composite electrical vehicle battery enclosure that would meet a number of rigorous performance requirements. These included 30° offset-barrier, side-impact, and rear-barrier crash; 50 G impulse shock (X, Y, Z); post-crash package integrity; fire-resistance testing; 3-m drop testing (bottom/end); 1-m water-submersion test; and vibration/shock testing. Cytec and CSP also worked together on data generation, ply design and press production technology. That close collaboration enabled CSP to manufacture parts in less than 10 minutes at a 150° cure, but MTM 23 has the capability to be rapid-cured in less than 3 minutes, the manufacturer reports.

26th February 2014

Innovation in Textiles
 |  New Jersey

Transport/​Aerospace, Industrial

Working together with Continental Structural Plastics (CSP), Cytec Industrial Materials has developed MTM 23, a tailored, self-releasing rapid-cure vinyl ester resin system, to satisfy the criteria for production of a composite electrical vehicle battery enclosure that would meet a number of rigorous performance requirements.

These included 30° offset-barrier, side-impact, and rear-barrier crash; 50 G impulse shock (X, Y, Z); post-crash package integrity; fire-resistance testing; 3-m drop testing (bottom/end); 1-m water-submersion test; and vibration/shock testing.

The new material enabled CSP to form a complex-shaped enclosure that protects the EV's battery components in the event of a catastrophic event. © Cytec Industrial Materials

Cytec and CSP also worked together on data generation, ply design and press production technology. That close collaboration enabled CSP to manufacture parts in less than 10 minutes at a 150° cure, but MTM 23 has the capability to be rapid-cured in less than 3 minutes, the manufacturer reports.

Light and safe

The result is the industry's first application of a volatile-organic compound (VOC)-free thermoset vinyl ester resin woven glass reinforced prepreg.

This new material enabled CSP to form a complex-shaped enclosure that protects the EV's battery components in the event of a catastrophic event, Cytec reports. The tough compression-moulded composite is 40% lighter than metallic solutions, helping the vehicle achieve extended range and enhanced performance.

The unique application earned GM an SPE Automotive Division award (‘Electrical Systems’ category) at the recent 43rd SPE Automotive Innovation Awards Gala. © Cytec Industrial Materials

Since it is nonconductive, it is said to protect occupants and first responders to an accident scene. The specially formulated resin is free of styrene emissions, making it safer for workers and the environment. Selective pattern layups allow for localised reinforcement. The application also features a large structural joint of composite to steel. 

Unique application

This unique application earned GM an SPE Automotive Division award (‘Electrical Systems’ category) at the recent 43rd SPE Automotive Innovation Awards Gala.

The award ceremony gathers the global automotive and plastics industries to honour the year's most innovative use of plastics in ground transportation.

According to Cytec and CSP, the award underpins the companies’ focus on developing materials and processes that enable OEMs to affordably design and manufacture carbon fibre composite structures. © Cytec Industrial Materials

According to Cytec and CSP, the award underpins the companies’ focus on developing materials and processes that enable OEMs to affordably design and manufacture carbon fibre composite structures and applications for mass production vehicles, while reducing the vehicle weights.

Cytec

Cytec’s Industrial Materials business provides advanced composite and process materials for automotive, aerospace, wind energy, motorsport, marine, mass transportation and other demanding applications.

The product portfolio supports the end-to-end manufacturing of composite parts and includes tooling, fibre, prepregs, resin systems, vacuum bagging, and adhesive, resin and surfacing films.

www.cytec.com

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