Injection Moulding Asia Composites
Automotive takes the centre stage JEC Asia Composites Show & Conferences, held in
Challenge (WSC) in 2011. It features 6 sq m of monosilicone cells to provide 1.2 kW peak power, up to speeds of 70 km/hour. It also features a 25 kg lithium ion battery pack to power 400 km of the race, with the remainder powered by sunlight. The body shell is made entirely of carbon fibre-reinforced composite, to render a weight of 160 kg. The car was placed at 12th position out of 35 teams in the WSC race in 2011.
Singapore from 20-22 October, wrapped up its 8th annual session with growth in attendance from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and China — which this year was the Country Guest of Honour.
• TUM Germany and SGL Group’s front end is produced 100% in thermoplastic composites using an industrial injection moulding machine. The main part is built up of nylon 6 and long fibre-reinforced thermoplastics (LFTs). Dedicated geometries are reinforced by unidirectional tapes and multi-directional organic sheets, processed in one shot parallel with the injection moulding.
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The Asian composites market amounts to SG$44.28 billion. In value, it represented 43% of the worldwide market in 2014. The demand made on materials has become greater in Asia. Investment in composites has increased and relative costs have improved. This is driving higher growth in both innovation and composites consumption in Asia,” said Frédérique Mutel, JEC Group President/CEO, at the opening. Mutel also highlighted the breakthroughs achieved by the sector in the recycling of composites and mass manufacturing of composite parts for the automotive sector. Besides the exhibition, the edition included three keynote speeches, innovation awards, conferences, an aerospace leadership circle, a demo zone, new products exhibits, posters session, as well as tours visits to Tempco Manufacturing and Singapore Polytechnic.
SGL/TUM’s front end is produced 100% in thermoplastic composites
• South Korea’s SH-Global’s SH-INP material was shown used in a door trim with 10% lower weight. The material consists of PP, EPDM, additives and 10-15% cellulose biomass.
Automotive parts showcase Since lightweighting in vehicles is linked to lower CO2 emissions and improved fuel economy, the automotive sector took up a large part of the new product exhibits at the show, with some futuristic developments. • Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University (NTU) displayed the NV II solar vehicle, which was designed and built by students and competed in the World Solar
SH-Global’s SH-INP material is in use in GM’s Sonic car in South Korea
• SH-Global was also promoting its SH-Tec material that is being field tested in one of the models of General Motor’s vehicles. With compression moulding, it offers lower heating of 220°C to save energy. The company says it can replace traditional glass fibre for a similar part made from PU. It is a sandwich construction of thermoplastics with natural fibre composite layers and a thermal expandable layer. Material shrinkage is controlled by the pre-heating process to improve formability of the part.
NTU’s solar vehicle that participated in the 2011 World Solar Challenge
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