Door Panel in Natural-Fiber Prepreg Composite

This lower door-panel inner was compression molded from a new, high-performance, lightweight, cost-effective, and green composite. The resin matrix is a unique acrylic polymer that is thermoplastic in its “B-stage,” allowing for production of prepreg/semi-finished rollstock or blanks, yet cross-linking at temperatures above 120C to produce a very durable thermoset. The resin’s high wetout of natural fibers and ability to form chemical as well as mechanical bonds to the reinforcement allows for very-high fiber loadings – 70% in this case – yielding lightweight parts with high stiffness in thin walls. This saves weight and cost, and reduces VOCs. And the rapidly renewable natural fiber mat reduces the vehicle’s carbon footprint without sacrificing performance.

OEM/Vehicle 2008MY BMW: BMW®  7 Series Luxury Sedan System Supplier Dräxlmaier Group Material Processor Dräxlmaier Group

Material Supplier BASF AG & J. Dittrich & Söhne GmbH Resin Acrodur® Acrylic Copolymer

For More Information See: http://www.plastics-car.com/Todays-Automobiles/Auto-Interior