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Dutch train sports composite panels
Applications news
Le Mans cars test out composite technologies
Dutch train sports composite panels
The front of the train.
The ORECA Le Mans car on track and under construction.
FRENCH MOTOR team ORECA is working with Huntsman Advanced Materials on the development of its Le Mans racing car prototypes. In a development and materials partnership running throughout the 2008-2010 season, Huntsman will be providing Araldite® 2000 adhesives, Araldite epoxy composite laminating systems, RenShape® stereolithography (SL) resins, RenGel® gelcoat systems and RenShape® tooling boards for use in the development and production of two prototype cars. Both vehicles are scheduled to run in the 24 hour endurance race at the Le Mans circuit in France in June, and also in the entire Le Mans Series (LMS) of races at major tracks around Europe. Utilising the combined resources of the recently
extended ORECA Technical Centre in France and Huntsman's international Technical Support team, the two companies believe that exhaustive component testing of these prototype race cars will also contribute to the advancement of a wide range of rapid prototyping materials for more mainstream automotive applications. ORECA; www.oreca.fr Huntsman Advanced Materials; www.huntsman.com/advanced_ materials
COMPOSITE nose and rear panels used in the latest highspeed Dutch InterCity trains are expected to save around €200 000 in construction and maintenance costs during the train's lifetime. The composite parts are manufactured by NPSP Composieten BV, based in Haarlem, the Netherlands, using a vacuum-assisted moulding process and DSM Composite Resins' products. Using composites instead of metal for these parts will remove 1000 kg of weight from the train, says DSM, which translates directly into cost savings and environmental benefits. Research by Dutch train operator NedTrain revealed the following results from using the new part: • new nose panel saves around €200 000 in construction and maintenance costs throughout the lifetime of each train; • running cost of train reduced
by €0.50 per kg, per year; • substantial reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per kilometre. “We will submit new products using DSM’s composite resins for certification with the Dutch Train authorities, based on natural fibres, as opposed to glass fibres," according to Mark Lepelaar from NPSP. "The new products are better than traditional glass fibre based products: while having comparable strength and fireresistant properties, they are 1030% lighter, and therefore take less energy to transport; they use less energy in production, and are far more environmentally friendly to dispose of." The natural fibre based composites should be ready for use in trains within 2-3 years, he adds. NPSP Composieten BV; www.npsp.nl DSM Composite Resins; www.dsmcompositeresins.com May 2008
REINFORCEDplastics
5
Le Mans cars test out composite technologies
Dutch train sports composite panels
The front of the train.
The ORECA Le Mans car on track and under construction.
FRENCH MOTOR team ORECA is working with Huntsman Advanced Materials on the development of its Le Mans racing car prototypes. In a development and materials partnership running throughout the 2008-2010 season, Huntsman will be providing Araldite® 2000 adhesives, Araldite epoxy composite laminating systems, RenShape® stereolithography (SL) resins, RenGel® gelcoat systems and RenShape® tooling boards for use in the development and production of two prototype cars. Both vehicles are scheduled to run in the 24 hour endurance race at the Le Mans circuit in France in June, and also in the entire Le Mans Series (LMS) of races at major tracks around Europe. Utilising the combined resources of the recently
extended ORECA Technical Centre in France and Huntsman's international Technical Support team, the two companies believe that exhaustive component testing of these prototype race cars will also contribute to the advancement of a wide range of rapid prototyping materials for more mainstream automotive applications. ORECA; www.oreca.fr Huntsman Advanced Materials; www.huntsman.com/advanced_ materials
COMPOSITE nose and rear panels used in the latest highspeed Dutch InterCity trains are expected to save around €200 000 in construction and maintenance costs during the train's lifetime. The composite parts are manufactured by NPSP Composieten BV, based in Haarlem, the Netherlands, using a vacuum-assisted moulding process and DSM Composite Resins' products. Using composites instead of metal for these parts will remove 1000 kg of weight from the train, says DSM, which translates directly into cost savings and environmental benefits. Research by Dutch train operator NedTrain revealed the following results from using the new part: • new nose panel saves around €200 000 in construction and maintenance costs throughout the lifetime of each train; • running cost of train reduced
by €0.50 per kg, per year; • substantial reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per kilometre. “We will submit new products using DSM’s composite resins for certification with the Dutch Train authorities, based on natural fibres, as opposed to glass fibres," according to Mark Lepelaar from NPSP. "The new products are better than traditional glass fibre based products: while having comparable strength and fireresistant properties, they are 1030% lighter, and therefore take less energy to transport; they use less energy in production, and are far more environmentally friendly to dispose of." The natural fibre based composites should be ready for use in trains within 2-3 years, he adds. NPSP Composieten BV; www.npsp.nl DSM Composite Resins; www.dsmcompositeresins.com May 2008
REINFORCEDplastics
5