PEEK Spindle Nuts Avoid Malfunctioning of Automotive Plastic Pieces During Accident

The BMW Group has approved spindle nuts made from Evonik Industries product VESTAKEEP® polyether ether ketone (PEEK) polymer. The spindle nuts are used in electrical steering column adjustment assemblies. As claimed, the VESTAKEEP® L4000G-based spindle nuts do not break under the severe conditions and thus prevent any plastic pieces from disabling the function of safety-relevant features. With improved ductility, high dimensional stability at different temperatures, chemicals & impact-resistance, VESTAKEEP® PEEK passed the tests by BMW.
VESTAKEEP® spindle nuts are used in the electrical steering column adjustment assemblies that are manufactured by Solingen, Germany-based C. Rob. Hammerstein GmbH & Co. KG. Exceptional material characteristics diversify its future use in mechanical steering column adjustment assemblies, besides automotive and aerospace applications, oil and natural gas sectors, semiconductor, electronics and medical industry and much more.

Indian Car Sales figures January 2011

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian-car-scene/95996-january-2011-indian-car-sales-figures.html

Automotive Slashes Significant Weight Using PC, PUR

Mazda MX-0 automotive slashed the vehicle's weight to less than 1,000 pounds, using MaterialScience LLC's Baypreg® F polyurethane composite sandwich. Mazda is now one of the most fuel-efficient vehicles with alternative materials technology available today. Mazda designers used lightweight MX-5 Miata for weight reduction and consolidation of the automotive parts. A bonded two-piece monocoque structure is used for the safety cell, subframes, body panels and interior surfaces. MX-0 concept utilizes automotive glazing using Makrolon® polycarbonate to replace use of heavy glass, Baytec® polyurethane for the wheels, and Baydur® STR for structural components. The adoption of lightweight polymers replaces traditional materials such as glass and steel in exterior applications, including window glazing and body panel components. Polycarbonate and polyurethane roof modules that reduce weight and lower the vehicle center of gravity.

Breakthrough Technology to Mass Produce Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics

Japan-based Teijin Limited has established a mass production technology for carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), by means of which significant reduction in cycle time can be achieved when it comes to molding automobile cabin frame. Carbon fiber can be mass produced for automobiles and other products using this breakthrough technology. Using the concept, the company has developed a significantly light-weight electric vehicle that features cabin frame made of thermoplastic CFRP.
The difference between this latest technology and the conventional one is that the former include intermediate materials made of thermoplastic resin instead of thermosetting resin for molding-use CFRP. The three new intermediate materials used are: Unidirectional intermediate, Isotropic intermediate, and Long-fiber thermoplastic pellet. Technologies for welding thermoplastic CFRP parts and bonding CFRP with materials such as steel, is also been developed by the company.

Teijin establishes mass production technologies for carbon fibre composite

Teijin Ltd has announced that it has established the world’s first mass production technologies for carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP). The company claims it can mould a vehicle cabin frame in under 60 seconds.

Teijin’s new technologies are based on thermoplastic resin instead of conventional thermosetting resin. The company has also developed technologies for welding thermoplastic CFRP parts together and for bonding CFRP with materials such as steel.
Going forward, Teijin, a leading producer of carbon fibre, intends to develop mass production applications for CFRP in cars and other items that require certain levels of structural strength, such as machine tools and industrial robots.

Carbon fibre thermoplastics

By impregnating carbon fibre with thermoplastic resin, Teijin has developed three intermediate materials for the production of CFRP suited for use in mass-production vehicles. The materials can be used selectively depending on the required strength and cost of the part, and they can be made with various thermoplastic resins, including polypropylene ( PP ) and polyamide ( PA ). The materials:

• unidirectional (UD) intermediate – offering ultra-high strength in a certain direction;
• isotropic intermediate – offering optimum balance of shape flexibility and multidirectional strength; and
• long fibre thermoplastic pellets – high-strength pellets incorporating carbon fibre suitable for injection moulding of complex parts.

Faster moulding

Using these new materials, Teijin developed its technology for the press moulding of CFRP within just 60 seconds. The technology also is simpler than conventional methods, the company says.
Teijin reports that conventional CFRP using thermosetting resin requires at least 5 minutes for moulding. Although suitable for manufacture of high-performance vehicles, this technology is not suited for mass production of general-purpose cars, which require moulding times within about 1 minute.
Teijin has also developed technologies for welding thermoplastic CFRP parts together, and for bonding CFRP with materials such as steel.

Concept car

To demonstrate its new technologies, Teijin has developed an electric vehicle (EV) concept car that features a cabin frame made entirely from carbon fibre reinforced thermoplastic and weighing only 47 kg (roughly one fifth the weight of a conventional car’s cabin frame).
The Teijin four-seat EV concept car is capable of speeds up to 60 km/hour and has a cruising range of 100 km.
Teijin will use the concept car to introduce its technologies to car makers and parts suppliers, and also to promote joint initiatives to develop lighter vehicles.
Teijin also aims to establish new midstream and downstream business models for its carbon fibre composites business by supplying CFRP parts to the market.

Nextlife™ to Supply FDA Approved Recycled Polypropylene Resin to Preserve® for Consumer Goods

Nextlife™, one of the leading providers of sustainable solutions for the consumer packaged goods industry, and Preserve®, one of the leading sustainable products companies, announce that Nextlife will begin supplying its FDA approved 100% post - consumer recycled (PCR) polypropylene (PP) resin to Preserve for use in select products in the company's line of stylish, eco - friendly personal care, tableware, kitchen and food storage products.

Nextlife produces PCR PP resins from plastic waste supplied by U.S. retailers through a proprietary process of sorting, washing, drying and extruding. The recycled resins can be mixed with virgin food grade resins or used as is to create thermoformed or injection molded products such as cups, plates, cutlery, storage and organization containers and housewares accessories. Nextlife's PCR polypropylene (PP) and polystyrene (PS) are FDA approved for food contact applications. The carbon footprint of Nextlife resin is 70 percent less than that of virgin resin.

Ben Anderson, COO of Preserve, "We have chosen to partner with Nextlife and to incorporate their resins into some of our products because it will help us serve those retailers and consumers who are looking for products that are both stylish and lighter on the earth. With Nextlife's FDA approved recycled plastic resins, we can continue to ensure that our products, including cutting boards and colanders, live up to both of those promises."

Ronald Whaley, president and CEO of Nextlife, "Preserve is a great partner for Nextlife to showcase our unique offering of FDA approved PCR PP resin that is comparable to virgin resin in quality, consistency and price. We look forward to an ongoing relationship with Preserve that helps to bring recycled plastics to the forefront of consumer product manufacturing."

Nextlife and Preserve were presenedt at the International Housewares Show held recently in Chicago, IL, at McCormick Place. As the official sustainability partner of the International Housewares Association (IHA), Nextlife executives were available at the IHA Going Green display to answer questions related to sustainability solutions and Nextlife sustainable resins. The Going Green display showcased the year's best in class sustainable products and packaging, including Preserve's Everyday Tableware and Preserve Toothbrush (featuring an innovative package called a Mail Back Pack).

JRC Scrutinizes Baby Bottles Made other than Polycarbonate Plastics

Recently, a ban has entered into force prohibiting the manufacture in the European Union of baby bottles containing Bisphenol A (BPA), an organic molecule used to produce polycarbonate plastics. From June 1st, the ban will also cover the placing on the market and import into the EU of baby bottles containing BPA. Meanwhile, the industry is voluntarily withdrawing from the market baby bottles containing BPA and replacing them with safer products.

As part of its activities to support the Commission in the discussion that lead to this ban, the JRC-IHCP launched a large screening study on baby bottles made of materials other than polycarbonate. The scope was to assess the nature of materials, chemicals, and potential release of substances.

Close to 300 baby bottles from most EU countries were analysed. The work included testing for chemical migration and the development of methods for the determination of chemical migrants. The results of this study, which are going to be available later this year, will provide risk managers with trends of evolution of the market and information based on sound experimental data.

About Joint Research Centre

The Joint Research Centre is the scientific and technical arm of the European Commission. It is providing the scientific advice and technical know-how to support a wide range of EU policies. Its status as a Commission service, which guarantees independence from private or national interests, is crucial for pursuing its mission. The JRC has seven scientific institutes, located at five different sites in Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain, with a wide range of laboratories and unique research facilities. Through numerous collaborations, access to many facilities is granted to scientists from partner organisations.