BASF Component Helps Automakers Meet Lightweighting, Safety Goals

BASF engine cover

by | Mar 23, 2015

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BASF engine coverBASF has developed a flexible polyurethane integral foam that can be used to produce lightweight engine coverings with one material in one process step.

The so-called soft cover, made from Elastofoam I 4603, is manufactured by the Austrian company Polytec Car Styling and fitted as standard in various car models with petrol engines of the Swedish automobile manufacturer Volvo. The sound-absorbing material for the flexible visible part is characterized by a low component density of 140 kg/m³, is dimensionally stable, media-resistant as well as resistant to thermal aging up to 150°C.

With this component, BASF says it is supporting the automotive industry in reconciling the — often contrary — objectives of lightweight construction, functional integration and compliance with safety standards.

The tailor-made PU foam Elastofoam I makes it possible to produce engine covers that are characterized by good sound absorption and thermal engine encapsulation. While the part has an open-cell foam structure on the bottom surface, the material on the front side forms a coherent skin with an attractive surface appearance. The surface is accurate in every detail and is printable. The part can absorb a lot of energy on account of the open-cell foam structure, thus increasing passive safety for pedestrians in the event of impact against the hood.

Volvo currently uses the engine cover, which weighs from about 1.3 to 1.7 kilograms depending on the automobile model, in four different versions. In comparison to conventional engine covers made of two materials, the elastic soft cover foamed in the cost effective one-shot process is able to integrate acoustic and mechanical properties in one part. This saves process steps during production, and better use can be made of the available space around the engine.

Led by BASF, a consortium of companies in the European process industry from the areas of biotechnology, renewable resources, chemistry, process engineering, equipment supply and research organizations last week launched a project that aims to decrease production costs for renewable-based products via increasing the efficiency of raw material use and production processes.

 

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