Evonik showcases composite material solutions at China Composites Expo 2020

A growing number of challenges posed by environmental pollutions, climate changes, scarce resources, etc. can be tackled by using more eco-friendly and resource efficient materials with lightweight and high mechanical performance. Evonik provides a wide range of materials for manufacturing almost all components of fiber-reinforced composites, such as foam core materials for sandwich construction, thermoplastics and thermo-setting resin matrices. These innovative materials will be showcased at the China Composites Expo from September 2 – 4, 2020 in Shanghai.

“Fiber-reinforced composites play an important role as one of the key technologies addressing global challenges for sustainable development.” said Fuliang Xia, president of Evonik Greater China, “Evonik’s material solutions enable the durability, strength and light weight of composite materials and make them ideal for the automotive, aviation, wind energy, construction and other applications. We are committed to participating in the dynamic composite market in China with a clear strategy focusing on innovation, sustainability and partnership with our customers.”

Lighter and better performance

Evonik’s composite material solutions help aviation, electronics, automotive and other industry manufacturers address the needs of their newest designs.

ROHACELL® Polymethacrylimide (PMI) structural foam is a core material solution that has been used in the composites industry for almost 50 years. It increases the stiffness of structures, offering maximum mechanical performance at minimum weight, and exhibits high temperature resistance during processing. In the automotive industry, parts using ROHACELL® foam cores withstand millions of load cycles while maintaining high residual strength over a car’s lifetime – minimizing added safety margins and reducing overall weight for economical operation.

Collaboration to drive new ideas and innovations

In order to further drive the material’s adoption forward, Evonik has sponsored DIAN Racing in China since 2016. DIAN Racing is the Formula Student Electric team from the Shanghai Tongji University. The team designs and builds cutting-edge electric race cars to compete at International Formula Student events. Evonik supports the team with ROHACELL® materials and knowledge. In turn the team develops ideas and explores the many possibilities of using ultra-lightweight ROHACELL®. A new DRe19 race car designed by the team with ROHACELL® inside will be featured at the Evonik booth.

Evonik will also highlight a variety of epoxy solutions, including:

• The epoxy hardener VESTALITE® S improves the technical properties and workability of high-performance sheet molding compounds (SMCs). It allows greater design freedom and makes composite materials fit for use in e-mobility and in automotive lightweight construction.

• VESTAMIN® & Ancamine® amino crosslinkers for epoxides make pressure vessels lighter, safer and more efficient. Weight of pressurized gas tanks can be reduced by 70 percent. Both products enable fast impregnation of fibers and a long service life.

• High-performance epoxy curing agents to advance composite manufacturing and adhesive bonding of composites. The portfolio contains a full range of high-quality amine hardeners, catalysts and accelerators for a wide range of applications, including infusion technologies, filament winding and prepreg applications.

Visit Evonik booth #A2220 at China Composites Expo.