First aluminum-plastic hybrid.
Plastic-metal hybrid technology developed by Lanxess Corp.,
Pittsburgh, for automotive front ends is using aluminum for the first
time on the Audi TT. Aluminum yields a 15% weight reduction vs. the
steel used in previous hybrids. The Audi front end consists of three
sheets of aluminum overmolded with glass-filled Durethan BKV 30 nylon 6.
It was manufactured by Faurecia in Germany. The new front end is said to
improve the vehicle's driving performance because less weight ahead
of the front axle stabilizes the car. Lanxess believes the
plastic-aluminum option will become increasingly popular in auto
manufacturing. Other potential applications include B-cross members,
roof frames, and instrument-panel reinforcements. Tel: (800) 526-9377 *
www.us.lanxess.com
COPYRIGHT 2007 Gardner Publications, Inc.
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
Copyright 2007, Gale Group. All rights reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company.
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