CompositesWorld
Issue link: https://cw.epubxp.com/i/944580
MARCH 2018 32 CompositesWorld WORK IN PROGRESS The price: Under five-figures would be nice A set of four all-carbon fiber or hybrid carbon fiber/aluminum wheels range in price from US$10,000-US$15,000, which makes them, for now, best suited for high-end vehicles like this Jaguar F-Type. Dymag believes that if the cost can come down to US$6,000-US$13,000 per set, then higher volumes (10,000- 25,000 wheels/year) will be within reach. and brakes are safety critical," Shelley notes. "Taking weight out reduces margins of safety, which you don't want to do without careful consideration." As part of this careful consideration, OEMs and companies like Dymag are developing standards for carbon fiber wheels, including radial cornering fatigue performance, impact perfor- mance, durability and more. Shelley believes that as OEMs develop a better understanding of composite materials, they will fine-tune and optimize these standards. "Our wheels still must perform as well as aluminum wheels in terms of durability, but taking the weight out of any wheel can reduce safety margins and compromise performance due to the lack of stiffness. is is a constant challenge for us," Shelley says. All of this has forced Dymag and other carbon fiber wheel manu- facturers to seek opportunities to improve their products, and the processes that produce them. For example, although Huntsman's epoxy is well-established, "Dymag is already looking at next-gener- ation resins for future wheels," Shelley reports. "We are committed to continue providing our partners with relevant data and we have already invested in, and have access to, state-of-art testing equip- ment. is enables us to simulate real-wheel service conditions to prove the reliability of the offered solutions and minimize the risks. With Huntsman Advanced Materials, we are working to achieve things like thermal stability, higher impact properties, less UV sensitivity, increased productivity and better aesthetics."