Automotive
Two-Shot PC Glazing/Spoiler Combo in New Fiat Car
The new Fiat MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) has what are said to be the first fixed rear side windows in the U.S. to use two-shot injection-compression molding, which allows for the seamless integration of an aerodynamic spoiler.
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Weyerhaeuser & Ford Develop Cellulose-Fiber TP Composites for Automotive
WEB EXCLUSIVE: Forestry products producer Weyerhaeuser in Federal Way, Wash., has introduced a proprietary, patent-pending thermoplastic composite with cellulose-fiber reinforcement derived from wood.
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VW Adopts PP Intake Manifolds in Two Car Engines
Glass-reinforced PP with proprietary heat-stabilization enhancement has emerged as a competitor for nylon in air-intake manifolds of two Volkswagen car engines: a three-cylinder gasoline engine in Brazil and Europe and a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine produced in China.
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Automotive Outlook: Steady Improvement in 2013
One of the true bright spots in the economy over the past 24 months has been the automotive industry. Our forecast for 2013 calls for another solid increase of 6% to 8%.
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PP Compounds Used in First Thermoplastic Lift Gate in New Renault Clio
WEB EXCLUSIVE: The new Renault Clio sports what’s said to be the first all-thermoplastic, mono-material lift gate on a commercial vehicle.
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Nylon Replaces Metal in Auto Transmission Oil Pan
WEB EXCLUSIVE: A 60% glass-reinforced nylon 6 from Lanxess LLC, Pittsburgh, has replaced steel sheet in the extremely flat, yet very stiff S tronic transmission oil pan on the new Audi R8.
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The New Lightweights: Injection Molded 'Hybrid' Composites Spur Auto Innovation
A thermoplastic composite technology that emerged just a couple of years ago promises to make dramatic strides within the next two years in automotive mass production of structural components.
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Laser-Transparent PBT in Novel Air-Flap Control Unit
WEB EXCLUSIVE: A 20% glass-reinforced grade of Ultradur LUX laser-transparent PBT resin from BASF is being used for the housing cover of a novel air-flap control actuator developed jointly by Germany’s Tier 1 supplier Rochling Automotive and motor developer Precision Motors Duetche Minebea.
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Noryl GTX in India’s First Injection Molded Plastic Fenders
WEB EXCLUSIVE: India’s first injection-molded plastic fenders are featured on the new global XUV500 SUV from Indian automaker Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M). They are made of Noryl GTX, a PPE/nylon blend from SABIC Innovative Plastics, Pittsfield, Mass.
Read MoreExpansions in TP Composite Materials
Polystrand, Inc., Englewood, Colo., is starting up a new and larger production facility for continuous-fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites in Montrose, Colo.
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