Braskem's Thermoplastic Composite Lattice Technology Awarded by SPE and ACMA
Last update on Sep 30, 2024
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and WEAV3D Inc. announced that their thermoplastic composite lattice technology, developed in partnership with the Clemson Composites Center at Clemson University, was selected as the Most Innovative Part by the Society for Plastics Engineers (SPE) Automotive Composites Conference and Exhibition (ACCE).
It also won the Material and Process Innovation Award from the American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA) as part of their Awards for Composites Excellence (ACE).
and WEAV3D Inc. announced that their thermoplastic composite lattice technology, developed in partnership with the Clemson Composites Center at Clemson University, was selected as the Most Innovative Part by the Society for Plastics Engineers (SPE) Automotive Composites Conference and Exhibition (ACCE). It also won the Material and Process Innovation Award from the American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA) as part of their Awards for Composites Excellence (ACE).
Lattice-reinforced PP Achieves Weight and Cost Saving
The combination of WEAV3D's composite lattice reinforcement with Braskem's polypropylene (PP) allows for lighter and more affordable thermoplastic solutions compared to conventional organosheet. This opens up new possibilities for replacing sheet metal structures with thermoplastics throughout vehicles. Together, WEAV3D, Braskem, and the Clemson Composites Center redesigned an automotive door structure. By switching from carbon fiber/PA6 organosheet to WEAV3D lattice-reinforced polypropylene, they achieved 23% weight savings, 50% cost savings, and 62% scrap reduction compared to the original organosheet.
Joel Carr, Technical Service and Development Engineering team leader, Braskem America, stated, "The partnership between WEAV3D, Clemson Composites Center, and Braskem combined to create a truly innovative and award-winning material with the Rebar for Plastics® Lattice Technology which showcases significant advantages in high-strength and lightweight composites technology. These latest awards from the Society for Plastic Engineers and the American Composites Manufacturers Association are clear affirmation of our success in creating more sustainable materials, helping reduce vehicle carbon emissions, and enhancing the manufacturing process value through material cost savings."
"2024 has been a fantastic year for recognizing the innovation solution that we developed with our partners at Braskem and the Clemson Composites Center," says Christopher Oberste, president and chief engineer of WEAV3D Inc. "Following closely after we won the Altair Enlighten Award last month, these awards from SPE and ACMA underscore the value of WEAV3D's cost-effective composite forming technology and demonstrate strong industry interest for adoption."
Process that Best Contributes to Efficient Manufacturing and Product Sustainability
The Most Innovative Part Award from the Society for Plastics Engineers Automotive Composites Conference and Exhibition is given to composite vehicle components. These components must either be part of OEM or aftermarket vehicles available for commercial sale globally or be development or prototype parts demonstrating significant advancements in composite technology. Entries are judged based on the impact and trendsetting nature of the application. This includes materials used, processing and assembly methods, and other enabling technologies that made the application possible.
The Material and Process Innovation from the American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA) Awards for Composites Excellence (ACE) recognizes outstanding achievement and innovation in technology, manufacturing, and product development. Braskem and WEAV3D's thermoplastic lattice technology was chosen among nominees as the material or process that best contributes to efficient manufacturing and product sustainability. The ACE award ceremony was held on September 10th, 2024, at the 2024 Composites and Advanced Materials Expo (CAMX), North America's largest composites industry trade show.
Source: Braskem
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Braskem