Plastics drives innovative truck developments

A class A surface with Borealis plastics solutions, the Iveco Stralis truck bumper, reduces complexity and requires fewer production steps.

Borealis, a leading provider of innovative, value creating plastics solutions, plays a pioneering role in the development of the first ever injection molded truck bumper and front panel. The structural components for IVECO’s latest Stralis truck were developed using Nepol* GB303HP, a long glass fibre-reinforced polypropylene (PP) solution from Borealis A/S. Nepol replaces unsaturated polyester glass fibre used in other techniques reducing production complexity while meeting the high mechanical and environmental friendly requirements specified by IVECO.

Through the selection of Nepol GB303HP and the plastics injection molding process for the bumper and front panel structural components, IVECO’s Tier One Supplier Plastal was able to achieve the stringent requirements with a dedicated thermoplastic mechanical and aesthetical design and to integrate more functions into one mold than is possible with other techniques. By requiring fewer production steps and reducing complexity, Plastal achieved faster production times with less material waste. Furthermore, Nepol’s good mold-flow helped to ensure consistent quality at fast line speeds during production.

New Nepol GB303HP boosts the environmental performance of IVECO’s Stralis by providing for a 30% weight reduction in front panel and bumper structures, leading to lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Also, this plastics material is fully recyclable, in compliance with European legislation.

Furthermore, the excellent sound reduction performance provided by Nepol GB303HP, when compared to metal and glass fibre reinforced materials, increases driver comfort by reducing the level of vibration and motor noise.

The end-user can also benefit from the aesthetical and mechanical advantages Nepol GB303HP brings. The plastics grade’s excellent impact/stiffness ratio and good dimensional stability at high temperatures deliver the high crash performance required of this application. It also provides the exceptional surface quality typically associated with glass fibre.

In addition, Borealis proposed the use of a Daplen* thermoplastic olefin (TPO) grade for the visible bumper fascia to achieve the consistent, high quality Class A surface aesthetics required by IVECO. This Daplen EE260AE offers very low thermal expansion and outstanding paint adhesion to create a smooth, high performance surface finish.

“Borealis’ continuous close cooperation with the automotive value chain allows us to draw on our expertise and product innovations to offer plastics solutions that reduce production complexity while exceeding performance criteria. This is the first time polypropylene has been used in such an application and the move towards injection molded bumper and front panel structures is a significant advance for the industry,” Paul Turner, Vice President of Automotive and Appliances at Borealis, comments. “The additional environmental and performance features also benefit the end-user and society. We are proud to be part of this pioneering development together with Plastal and Iveco."

* Trademarks of Borealis A/S, a leading provider of innovative, value creating plastics solutions focusing on the infrastructure, automotive and advanced packaging markets with production facilities, innovation centers and service centers across Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific.

Read recent press releases about -

. Thermoset foam insulation First for Japanese automotive industry
The first melamine resin foam Basotect TG acoustic insulation application produced in Japan for the Japanese automotive industry is for the Lexus flagship LS series engine hood covers. 2007-11-07

Plastics Molding Jobs - Post Employment Opportunity Now! Our Dedicated Portal Helps U- $ave

American Management Online Certification Programs

Certificate In Strategic Leadership -
Finance and Accounting for Nonfinancial Managers, Second Edition
CEU Credits: 2 (Choose 5 or 6 program courses for a total of 10 CEU's)
Course Objective - Learn key financial concepts and relate them to the financial management actions necessary for the nonfinancial manager.
Get Started Today!

Protect your network from hackers, malware, and other malicious attacks.
Buy #1 AdAware 2007 Now!

Click here to view more industry news.