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Coating enables composites use in high temperatures
TECHNOLOGY
Coating enables composites use in high temperatures application process is said to ensure better adhesion. As the automotive industry seeks to adopt more composites to achieve higher efficiency, Zircotec believes that the coating technology pioneered on the Aston Martin One-77 is likely to be adopted by other OEMs.
Aston Martin’s One-77 is based on a carbon fibre composite chassis with an aluminium body. Thermohold coating is applied to the car’s diffuser and underbonnet air intakes.
ZIRCOTEC’S ThermoHold® ceramic coating for composite materials has made its road car debut on Aston Martin’s One-77. The coating is applied to the car’s carbon fibre diffuser and underbonnet air intakes. Composites are often unsuited to high temperature environments, explains Terry Graham, managing director of Zircotec. “Traditionally this leads to vehicle makers opting for more conservative materials that add weight or they rely on bulky heatshields that ultimately blunt performance,” he says. “Our discreet ceramic coating protects the One-77 composites components and in the case of the diffuser, enables exhaust gases to pass through, just as they did in F1.” Zircotec’s coating, which has been proven in Formula 1 and at Le Mans, can lower composite surface temperatures by more than 125°C, creating opportunities to use composites under the bonnet.
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REINFORCEDplastics
“Our coating not only protects the composite induction system from heat but also ensures that the air intake temperature is lower,” adds Graham. “Moreover, a decrease in this temperature creates a denser charge and is a feature relied upon by many Le Mans racing teams we supply.” Zircotec’s process uses a gas plasma flame running at 12,000°C to apply the ThermoHold heat resistant formulation in molten powder form on to the composite components. Unlike paint, this plasma spray
“Engine downsizing is leading to hotter engines with tighter packaging,” notes Graham. “We are seeing future specifications suggesting underbonnet temperature increases to close to 200˚C. Our coating is a true enabling technology and will enable composites to be considered in this area of the car.” UK company Zircotec offers a range of plasma sprayed ceramic and metallic coatings that protect components against the effects of heat, wear, abrasion and corrosion. These technologies can be applied to a broad range of different materials including metals and composites. Zircotec; www.zircotec.com
Ashland introduces marine adhesive ASHLAND PERFORMANCE Materials’ latest addition to its structural adhesives range is Pliogrip™ 1100, a two-part methacrylate developed to provide longer work times at elevated ambient temperatures – a key requirement for bonding stringers and other large composite parts in composite boat construction. When used with Pliogrip 1080 activator, Pliogrip 1100 adhesive provides 120-180 minutes of work time while maintaining a minimum of 45 minutes of work time at 97°F (36°C), Ashland reports. “Similar to our Pliogrip 1000 adhesive, Pliogrip 1100 has very high body- and gap-filling capabilities and provides improved sag resistance, which are properties often required for bonding of large composite components in boat applications,” says John Baetz, industry manager for Ashland Performance Materials. “As part of our product development process, we looked closely at the enhanced work-time and temperature requirements in specific marine bonding applications to ensure that Pliogrip 1100 adhesive truly meets the performance needs of our customers.” Pliogrip 1100 is sold in 50-gallon drums and may be used with Pliogrip 1040, 1060 or 1080 activators, which are sold in five-gallon pails.
Zircotec’s process, on which a patent application has been filed, uses a gas plasma flame running at 12,000°C to apply the coating.
MARCH/APRIL 2013
Ashland Performance Materials; www.ashland.com
www.reinforcedplastics.com
Coating enables composites use in high temperatures application process is said to ensure better adhesion. As the automotive industry seeks to adopt more composites to achieve higher efficiency, Zircotec believes that the coating technology pioneered on the Aston Martin One-77 is likely to be adopted by other OEMs.
Aston Martin’s One-77 is based on a carbon fibre composite chassis with an aluminium body. Thermohold coating is applied to the car’s diffuser and underbonnet air intakes.
ZIRCOTEC’S ThermoHold® ceramic coating for composite materials has made its road car debut on Aston Martin’s One-77. The coating is applied to the car’s carbon fibre diffuser and underbonnet air intakes. Composites are often unsuited to high temperature environments, explains Terry Graham, managing director of Zircotec. “Traditionally this leads to vehicle makers opting for more conservative materials that add weight or they rely on bulky heatshields that ultimately blunt performance,” he says. “Our discreet ceramic coating protects the One-77 composites components and in the case of the diffuser, enables exhaust gases to pass through, just as they did in F1.” Zircotec’s coating, which has been proven in Formula 1 and at Le Mans, can lower composite surface temperatures by more than 125°C, creating opportunities to use composites under the bonnet.
14
REINFORCEDplastics
“Our coating not only protects the composite induction system from heat but also ensures that the air intake temperature is lower,” adds Graham. “Moreover, a decrease in this temperature creates a denser charge and is a feature relied upon by many Le Mans racing teams we supply.” Zircotec’s process uses a gas plasma flame running at 12,000°C to apply the ThermoHold heat resistant formulation in molten powder form on to the composite components. Unlike paint, this plasma spray
“Engine downsizing is leading to hotter engines with tighter packaging,” notes Graham. “We are seeing future specifications suggesting underbonnet temperature increases to close to 200˚C. Our coating is a true enabling technology and will enable composites to be considered in this area of the car.” UK company Zircotec offers a range of plasma sprayed ceramic and metallic coatings that protect components against the effects of heat, wear, abrasion and corrosion. These technologies can be applied to a broad range of different materials including metals and composites. Zircotec; www.zircotec.com
Ashland introduces marine adhesive ASHLAND PERFORMANCE Materials’ latest addition to its structural adhesives range is Pliogrip™ 1100, a two-part methacrylate developed to provide longer work times at elevated ambient temperatures – a key requirement for bonding stringers and other large composite parts in composite boat construction. When used with Pliogrip 1080 activator, Pliogrip 1100 adhesive provides 120-180 minutes of work time while maintaining a minimum of 45 minutes of work time at 97°F (36°C), Ashland reports. “Similar to our Pliogrip 1000 adhesive, Pliogrip 1100 has very high body- and gap-filling capabilities and provides improved sag resistance, which are properties often required for bonding of large composite components in boat applications,” says John Baetz, industry manager for Ashland Performance Materials. “As part of our product development process, we looked closely at the enhanced work-time and temperature requirements in specific marine bonding applications to ensure that Pliogrip 1100 adhesive truly meets the performance needs of our customers.” Pliogrip 1100 is sold in 50-gallon drums and may be used with Pliogrip 1040, 1060 or 1080 activators, which are sold in five-gallon pails.
Zircotec’s process, on which a patent application has been filed, uses a gas plasma flame running at 12,000°C to apply the coating.
MARCH/APRIL 2013
Ashland Performance Materials; www.ashland.com
www.reinforcedplastics.com