Automotive OEMs Select Gurit Visual Carbon Prepregs
Cosmetic carbon in the automotive industry is being used in a rapidly growing range of applications. From interior décor elements to full exterior components and structural parts such as roofs, visual carbon optional extras and series features are extremely popular among vehicle owners.
Being a supplier to the automotive industry since more than ten years, Gurit has proven its capabilities in the manufacture of high-performance prepregs and has achieved qualification from several global automotive OEMs for its cosmetic carbon prepreg materials. These materials offer class leading performance along with the recognised benefits of composites; strength, lightness and the ability to fashion complex shapes.
Gurit’s SC 110 and SC 160 have been selected for their ability to obtain a perfect visual quality surface. These cosmetic-grade prepregs utilize a high clarity, versatile, hot-melt epoxy resin formulation. This specifically developed, unique formulation produces truly white-wash-free parts, resulting in increased production output and significant savings in scrap costs.
During the development of Gurit’s cosmetic carbon prepreg, SC 110, extensive testing was conducted to manufacture the most challenging visual components in order to demonstrate the robustness of the resin formulation, including tight curvatures and resin-rich seams. Additionally, QUV SE Accelerated Weathering Test has revealed that Gurit SC 110 carbon prepreg offers superior weathering performance as compared with the current market range. As a result of this rigorous testing, Gurit recently achieved approval from General Motors for SC 110. Besides, SC 110 has also been successfully adopted by a number of major tier-1 automotive suppliers to date.
Gurit SC 160’s formulation is ideal for manufacturing high visual quality components using autoclave and press moulding. It can be cured at temperatures as low as 130°C (266°F), or it can be used for faster moulding of components at 160°C (320°F). An even faster cure of 30 minutes at 180°C (300°F) can also be achieved, whilst maintaining a good out-life of up to 3 weeks at 21°C (70°F). SC 160 is a toughened system and offers excellent mechanical properties on a wide variety of reinforcing fabrics and fibres.
Gurit’s approach to providing solutions to OEMs is based upon an integrated relationship with the customer, providing access to Gurit’s technical strengths and capabilities, and ensuring the delivery of specific requirements and expectations. Gurit SC 110 and SC 160 are a direct result of such relationships, and offer the ultimate freedom for automotive designers, increased options for engineers, and efficient processing for manufacturers.
To learn more about Gurit’s visual carbon prepregs, please visit http://www.gurit.com/Our-Business/Composite-Materials/Prepregs/High-Performance
