Automotive supplier Magna Exteriors and Interiors and carbon fibre maker Zoltek have developed a low-cost carbon fibre sheet moulding compound (SMC) for automotive applications. Zoltek and Magna announced their partnership to develop low-cost carbon fibre SMC for the automotive industry last year (see Zoltek and Magna join forces on automotive SMC.)
The jointly developed carbon fibre SMC combines Zoltek’s Panex® 35 carbon fibre with Magna’s unique EpicBlendSMC™ formulations and production expertise.The material, named EpicBlendSMC EB CFS-Z, allows Magna to offer global manufacturers an expanded range of lightweight parts, sub-systems and semi-structural applications for automotive as well as commercial truck and other markets.
The SMC is also available for sale directly to moulders through Magna. Magna Exteriors and Interiors recently won new business for a semi-structural component based on its EB CFS-Z SMC technology. In addition, one of Magna’s SMC compounding facilities has installed proprietary SMC production equipment that is optimised to compound Zoltek’s Panex 35 carbon fibre.
Magna Exteriors and Interiors Corp, an operating unit of Magna International Inc, is a global supplier of automotive exterior and interior systems, designing and manufacturing products such as front- and rear-end fascia systems, Class A composite panels, under hood and underbody components, and structural components.
Source: http://www.reinforcedplastics.com/view/31317/magna-and-zoltek-launches-carbon-fibre-smc/
