COMPOSITES EXCHANGE by Westlake Epoxy
Electric vehicles are on the rise continuing to increase their driving range with higher weight and more energy-dense battery packs. The structural integrity to support the weight can be built in the battery tray or a so-called skateboard chassis is chosen including a base structure housing the batteries, electric motors and other electronic components. Liquid Compression Molding (LCM) is a fast epoxy process technology for manufacturing of structural parts with continuous carbon or glass fibre in cycle times of less than 90 seconds. LCM can be complimentary to adopted HP-RTM technology when the two processes are combined in one manufacturing cell. Process selection, design criteria, and mechanical/fire resistance performance will be illustrated for potential EV structural underbody and battery tray applications.
Speakers:
Stephen GREYDANUS, NA Automotive Business Development Manager, Westlake Epoxy (formerly “Hexion Coatings and Composites”)
Brent COLLYER, VP Engineering Leaf springs, R&D Director Lightweighting, Rassini International