Page 52 - Plastics News August - 2023

Lightweight Polyurethane Foam Wins Altair Enlighten Award

eveloped by Marelli, the mate- with new tooling (8% with current cialty Polymers for its Ajedium PEEK
Drial can be applied to all foam- tooling); decreases foam thickness slot liners that can reduce battery
in-place (FIP) applications, particularly by 50%, to support styling aesthet- pack weight by 12 kg (36.4 lb.) and
the main dashboard panel. ics; and reduces raw material costs by electric motor size by 4 kg (8.8 lb.).
20% compared to the current foam Additionally, there is no requirement
Global technology company Altair and
the Center for Automotive Research in use. In line with the industry’s on- for high-power dedusting equipment
(CAR), both based in Michigan, have going focus on sustainability and eco- or climate-controlled storage to pre-
named Marelli as the 2023 Enlighten friendly materials, the new foam also vent moisture uptake which reduces
award winner in the Future of Light- reduces the environmental impact energy consumption — since PEEK
weighting category for its polyure- of automotive production through slot liners can be inserted via existing
thane foam for interior products. Al- its reduced material usage per part, equipment.
tair is a global leader in computational lower density, and 80% reduction in As EV manufacturers are moving
science and artificial intelligence (AI) volatile organic compounds (VOCs). from 400- to 800-volt systems, or
that provides software and cloud solu- While delivering environmental ben- higher, conventional paper laminate
tions in simulation, high-performance efits, the lightweight foam meets and slot liners can no longer live up to the
computing (HPC), data analytics, and often exceeds customer specifications challenges arising from this trend. “In
AI. for high-quality feel and appearance comprehensive simulation testing,
of interiors. FIP technology is an au- Ajedium PEEK film has demonstrated
Marelli has developed a new light- tomotive interior staple for efficiently
weight polyurethane foam that can achieving a much-desired soft feel in its outstanding property profile for
be applied to all foam-in-place (FIP) primary-touch surface parts, such as improving the thermal, electrical, and
applications, particularly the main the main dash panel, door panels, and mechanical performance of slot lin-
dashboard panel. This achievement is the center console armrest. ers, while enabling thinner second-
the result of a joint development with ary insulation and providing a more
materials partner Covestro. Solvay's Ajedium PEEK slot liners a sustainable mono-material solution,”
runner up noted Brian Baleno, head of automo-
40% weight reduction tive marketing at Solvay.
The runner up in the Future of Light-
The new foam reduces weight by 40% weighting category was Solvay Spe-

52 PLASTICS NEWS August 2023
52 PLASTICS NEWS
August 2023