Hexcel's Denis Granger to Present at Composites Europe 2017
At the Lightweight Technologies Forum at this year’s Composites Europe show, Hexcel’s Automotive Sales Development Manager, Denis Granger, will give a presentation on new materials and adhesive for hybrid structures in the automotive industry.
Joining Mr Granger will be Etienne Marrier, R&D Engineer at St Jean Industries, who worked with Hexcel to develop a concept suspension knuckle in which the aluminum structure is stiffened with carbon fiber prepreg stacks. The hybrid solution results in a 25% increase in part stiffness compared to the aluminum-only suspension knuckle, with only a very slight increase in part volume.
The CFRP/aluminum hybrid version fits into the existing space restrictions, allowing just one aluminum part design to be used across all models in the range. CFRP increases the maximum strength before failure of the part, with optimum load distribution determined by Hexcel’s FEM calculations. The prepreg stacks were bonded to the aluminum with Redux® 677, a new fast curing film adhesive for the high volume processing of metal/CFRP hybrid structures.
With hybrid components combining FRP and metal in the same part becoming increasingly popular in vehicle lightweighting, engineers can now combine the best properties of each material in a single hybrid design.
The presentation will take place during the Automotive session at the Lightweight Technologies Forum on Thursday September 21 at 1pm.
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Hexcel Corporation is a leading advanced composites company. It develops, manufactures and markets lightweight, high-performance structural materials including carbon fibers, specialty reinforcements, prepregs and other fiber-reinforced matrix materials, honeycomb, adhesives, engineered core and composite structures for use in commercial aerospace, space and defense and industrial applications.
Media Contact:
Rachel Owen
Director of Marketing Communications
+44 (0)1223 838370
Rachel.owen@hexcel.com
About Saint Jean Industries:
Saint Jean Industries is a family company established worldwide and specialized in the development and manufacture of aluminum, cast iron and steel components and sub-assemblies for the transport and energy markets. Its headquarters is in St Jean d’Ardières (France) with plants in Germany, Croatia, Spain, U.S.A. and Norway. Saint Jean Industries employs 2200 people and achieved a turnover of 310 million euros in 2016. www.st-ji.com
Contact:
Maxence Pecheur
Marketing Project Manager
+33 474 666 679
maxence.pecheur@st-ji.com
