Issue 11/2016 - Carbon fiber bonding technology helps reduce the weight of automobiles

Carbon fiber bonding technology helps reduce the weight
of automobiles, Dow Automotive Systems said that its BETAFORCETM composite structural adhesive injection bonding technology has been successfully applied to the BMW Group's latest new BMW 7 Series
.
This technology ensures cabin stability in the event of a side impact or rollover, and enhances the vehicle's torsional rigidity while maintaining minimum weight, improved driving and handling, and reduced noise, vibration and harshness (NVH
).
IN ADDITION, BETAFORCETM TECHNOLOGY HELPS SOLVE THE CHALLENGE
OF BONDING LONG CARBON FIBER COMPOSITE PARTS DUE TO DIFFICULT MANAGEMENT OF LINEAR THERMAL EXPANSION (CLTE) COEFFICIENTS DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY AND SERVICE LIFE.

BETAFORCETM composite structural adhesives are based on two-component polyurethane structural adhesive technology with high elongation and modulus
.
The high modulus guarantees the required stiffness, high elongation enables high energy absorption and flexible management of the linear coefficient of thermal expansion for bonding carbon fiber and coated steel and aluminum, and can be applied to suspension components
such as roofs, all-carbon fiber bodies, or doors.
To achieve the bonding of the two materials, the structural adhesive is robotically injected and coated with carbon fiber, which enables long-lasting bonding
of different substrate components.
In addition, the adhesive also has excellent adhesion properties to substrates made of different materials, such as carbon fiber or coated metal materials, thus enabling advanced lightweight solutions used by automotive manufacturers such as the BMW Group
.