CompositesWorld
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NEWS 35 CompositesWorld.com Class A Body Panels design (Fig. 2, p. 31). Polotzki agrees with the benefit of SMC in this type of inte- gration, adding, "We are working with several OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers as they develop new products using SMC for decklids and roof modules because it enables radiolucent parts with antennas embedded," says Polotzki. In its December 2016 Investor Day presentation, Plastic Omnium asserted that the future vehicle envelope will be intelligent. e company said it will offer a lightweight, smart material body panel system within five years (Fig. 3, p. 33), aimed at integrating more functions. e Tier 1 supplier also will partner with OEMs to develop integration of and effi- cient architectures for complex interactive modules. One function already desired by car owners and demonstrated in a three- year research program is electrical energy storage (see Learn More, p. 34). Next steps for SMC Siwajek acknowledges the trend toward body panel multifunctionality, including energy generation and storage, but envi- sions a longer development timeline. "Embedded circuitry is pretty far down CSP's development pipeline," he cautions, "but we're looking at graphene and other nanomaterials. If we can boost conduc- tivity and get additional functions like energy storage and protection against electromagnetic and radio frequency interference (RFI, EMI), that's great, but we still have to meet Class A and cost requirements." He adds that CSP will pursue these types of developments with an OEM as a partner, noting that such partnering is happening much more often. "We have several projects right now, where OEMs have brought problems to us and we are working together to develop solu- tions, sharing labs, data and resources." For the present, the big issue continues to be weight reduction. "e next oppor- tunity for SMC is to further reduce density while maintaining part stiffness," says Polotzki. Ashland Performance Materials (Columbus, OH, US) has released results from new 1.1 and 1.0 SG density SMC product development which show no compromise in surface quality, while Core Molding Technologies (CMT, Columbus, COMPOSITE TEST FIXTURES Wheeling, IL USA www.mttusa.net Material Testing Technology Ph (847) 215-7448 ASTM D3410 ASTM D7249 ASTM D2344 ASTM D4255 ASTM D5379 ASTM C297 ASTM D7332 ASTM D6641 ASTM D695 ASTM D7264 ASTM C393 ASTM D3039 OH, US) is promoting its 0.98 SG Hydrilite SMC. is offers a 17% reduction from its 1.18 SG Airilite and Econolite products. A full Class A version of Hydrilite is still in development. "With an ongoing need for lightweighting solutions, no doubt our customers will continue to request further reductions in density, which we will strive to achieve," said CMT VP marketing and sales Terry O'Donovan. And no doubt the quest to make these work in the Class A vehicle envelope of the future will continue as well. CW senior editor Ginger Gardiner has an engineering/materials background and more than 20 years of experience in the composites industry. ginger@compositesworld.com