SGL Group, the leading manufacturer of carbon fibre based products, will be presenting new material developments and innovative carbon fibre-based product solutions and their applications at this year’s JEC World exhibition that takes place from 8-10 March in Paris.

Composites are being used in combination with conventional materials, such as steel and aluminium, in increasingly more applications, the company reports. Many developments focus on reducing the weight and increasing the functionality of components and optimizing material systems for use in large-scale production. This applies both to the automotive industry and to other segments, such as aerospace and wind energy.

Large-scale automotive production

As a prime example for the innovative use of composites in large-scale production, SGL Group is showcasing the “Carbon Core” body of the new BMW 7 series for the first time at the JEC.

Carbon fibre braids of SGL Group are being used as standard in combination with aluminium in the roof frame structure of this model series. The braids are produced in a fully automated process and then supplied directly to the BMW Group as preforms for the component production.

SGL Group also supplies carbon fibres, carbon fibre-based fabrics and nonwovens, which are used according to the specific component requirements as standard in various parts of the body of the 7 series such as the C- and B-pillar pillar, rear panel, door sills, transmission tunnel, and roof rails.

Innovation area

In addition, SGL Group will demonstrate its current development activities in the newly created AUTO Planet innovation area of the JEC fair. Among the company’s innovations are SIGRAPREG TowPregs based on 50k continuous carbon fibre tow. 

SIGRAPREG TowPregs made from carbon and glass fibres are particularly suitable for automated production processes because of their width stability and excellent winding behaviour and they impart very good mechanical properties to the component, according to the manufacturer.

They can also be combined with new rapid-curing prepreg resin systems, which are currently being developed to meet the requirements of future large-scale production in the automotive industry. These “snap cure” epoxy resin systems are said to combine very rapid curing times (< 3 minutes at 150°C) with good storage stability.

Fibre-reinforced thermoplastics

Another highlight of the innovative product solutions presented by SGL Group is the range of different material options in the area of fibre-reinforced thermoplastics. These include tapes, sheets & LFT, which permit very fast cycles, easy weldability, and good recyclability.

The thermoplastic materials supplied by SGL Group have previously been reinforced solely with carbon fibres but, as of now, glass fibre-reinforced semi-finished products are also available.

www.sglgroup.com