Advanced auto resins are recyclable
29 Apr 2002
Dow Automotive has entered an alliance with Cyclics to develop cyclic butylene terephthalate (CBT) resins for automotive applications.
Material development activities will be focused on a number of automotive structural composites, including vertical and horizontal body panels and truck boxes.
Dow Automotive's research and development team will work with Cyclics to determine how the material can best be incorporated in automotive applications. The two organisations envision that components will be able to be formed using a number of techniques, including compression and injection moulding.
One of the benefits of composites made from CBT resins is that they will be recyclable. In addition, this alternative material will contribute to lighter weight vehicle designs.
Cyclics has opened a new headquarters and R&D facility in Schenectady, NY specifically to support the initiative.
Editor's note: Cyclics claim that CBT based thermoplastic pre-impregnated intermediate products, or prepregs, offer advantages beyond the best attributes of thermoplastic and thermoset prepregs.
Unlike thermoset prepregs, CBT prepregs are non-reactive at room temperature, thus providing a virtually infinite shelf life. But like thermoset prepregs, they have tack and drape, enabling them, for example, to be roll wrapped to make golf shafts on conventional 'epoxy' prepreg equipment.
CBT Resin prepregs can also be processed isothermally and de-moulded hot, because the CBT Resin can melt, polymerise, crystallise and solidify, all at the same temperature.
