For cars, a new style of plastic-metal hybrid.A new plastic-metal hybrid approach for auto front-end modules is said to make more efficient use of materials and to reduce costs as compared with previous hybrid moldings. The new system, dubbed HydroPlast Structures, was developed by GE Advanced Materials Advanced Materials is a leading peer-reviewed materials science journal published every two weeks. Advanced Materials includes Communications, Reviews, and Feature Articles from the cutting edge of materials science, including topics in chemistry, physics, , Pittsfield, Mass., together with Carlisle Engineered Products, Chardon, Ohio Chardon is a city in Geauga County, Ohio, United States. The population was 5,156 at the 2000 census. The square area caught fire and burned down in the late 1800s in the devastating Chardon fire. It is the county seat of Geauga CountyGR6. , and Vari-Form Inc., Warren, Mich. Up to now, hybrid development for front-end modules has been led by Pittsburgh-based Bayer MaterialScience Bayer MaterialScience (BMS) is an independent subgroup within Bayer AG. It was created as part of the restructuring of Bayer AG from the former business group Bayer Polymers, with certain of its activities being spun off to Lanxess AG. , whose patented injection overmolding method has been used by Volkswagen, Audi, Nissan, and Ford since 1996. While previous hybrids involved injection molding over stamped metal, GE starts with pressure-sequence hydroforming hy·dro·form·ing n. A process in which naphthas are converted to high-octane aromatics in the presence of hydrogen and a catalyst under pressure and heat. hy (PSH) of sheet metal to make a tubular closed section. The closed section provides the needed stiffness, instead of overmolded plastic ribbing. The result is said to be more efficient use of both steel and plastic. And PSH uses only one die, while some hybrid systems have multiple stamped parts. Thus, the HydroPlast system can reduce tool cost by up to 15% and part cost by 10% to 20%, GE claims. GE overmolds the metal tube with 30% glass-filled Noryl GTX GTX Gore-Tex GTX Global TeleExchange GTX Grand Tourisme Extra PPO/nylon. Proprietary tooling creates an integral tie (SmartLok Connection) between the metal tube and plastic, enabling significant load transfer between the two materials. "A feature in the metal allows the plastic to create an attachment," says Tom Goral goral an intermediate type between goat and antelope. Look, smell and climb like goats but have wide muzzles like antelopes and are not bearded. Called also Naemorhedus spp. , GE automotive technology manager. GE: (800) 845-0600/PTDirect: 132YT * Bayer: (800) 662-2927/PTDirect: 468PT [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] |
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