Hard particle coated nonwoven applied on a wheel carrier for passenger car chassis. © Freudenberg

The Freudenberg technology group has acquired the activities of the start-up FRICTins from Wolnzach, Germany, including FRICTins’ innovative technology to increase the friction coefficient. This is designed to allow lightweight and more compact component designs, as well as the transmission of up to five times higher torque and shear forces. These features are of critical relevance in e-mobility applications and increasing performance requirements for part connections.

“In the future, Freudenberg will offer the global automotive industry a cost-efficient, hard particle coated nonwoven solution – ideally suited for the realization of new powertrain designs and lightweight concepts” commented Dr Frank Heislitz, CEO of Freudenberg Performance Materials.

This technology combines a hard particle coating process with a special nonwoven from Freudenberg. It is utilised by automotive manufacturers and suppliers in engine, chassis and powertrain applications. It can increase the friction coefficient up to a factor of 8. This allows for a significant improvement in the performance of screw joints and press fits. Increasing the friction coefficient here enables many new and innovative material combinations, according to the manufacturer.

Currently, the products are manufactured on a pilot production scale in a facility near Munich (Wolnzach). Freudenberg has acquired all the assets and will set up industrial scale production within the next few months.

The patent-pending solution uses a multi-step-process to coat hard particles of various dimensions onto the surface of a special nonwoven. When used in a friction joint, the hard particles penetrate into both parts of the joining components and create a micro interlock. Compared to existing technologies on the market, FRICTins’ technology is said to offer greater flexibility in the design process, thanks to lower material thickness, while also providing a higher friction coefficient. By using 100% inert materials, this new technology does not cause any corrosion between the joining parts.

www.freudenberg.com