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Italian car maker selects LyondellBasell's Hostacom PP resins
16 Apr '08
3 min read
Steel replacement yields performance benefits and cost savings:
A tailored, glass-fiber reinforced Hostacom G4 R01 polypropylene was selected to replace steel for the 500's waterbox, a component located below the cowl-vent grill that collects water run-off from the windscreen.
Traditionally the domain of steel or polyamide, the waterbox requires dimensional stability and water resistance as well as resistance to high temperatures originating from the engine compartment.
“In this under-hood environment, we were able to combine performance benefits with cost savings, enabling FIAT to reduce the weight of the finished part significantly,” explained Cocola.
“Our resin exhibits a stiffness of almost 9000 MPa, comparable to reinforced engineering plastics.” Thanks to these unique structural properties, the resin has become the only material specified for the FIAT 500's waterbox.
Superior surface with low gloss:
Due to the resins' ability to deliver outstanding surface aesthetics in combination with low gloss of the finished parts, the 500's door panels, pillar and seat trim are produced using Hostacom CR 1171 G1 resins.
With a new additive package and mineral filler, a FIAT test showed that the compounds surpassed standard polypropylene materials in terms of scratch resistance and surface properties.
Essential to the successful development of the interior and exterior components was LyondellBasell's design and development expertise.
Remake of an iconic original:
FIAT, which launched the first 500 on July 4, 1957, renewed the legacy of the legendary automobile exactly 50 years later and brought the vehicle back into the market on July 4, 2007.
The 2008 “European Car of the Year” has been acclaimed as the most outstanding new car to go on sale in the last 12 months.
A tailored, glass-fiber reinforced Hostacom G4 R01 polypropylene was selected to replace steel for the 500's waterbox, a component located below the cowl-vent grill that collects water run-off from the windscreen.
Traditionally the domain of steel or polyamide, the waterbox requires dimensional stability and water resistance as well as resistance to high temperatures originating from the engine compartment.
“In this under-hood environment, we were able to combine performance benefits with cost savings, enabling FIAT to reduce the weight of the finished part significantly,” explained Cocola.
“Our resin exhibits a stiffness of almost 9000 MPa, comparable to reinforced engineering plastics.” Thanks to these unique structural properties, the resin has become the only material specified for the FIAT 500's waterbox.
Superior surface with low gloss:
Due to the resins' ability to deliver outstanding surface aesthetics in combination with low gloss of the finished parts, the 500's door panels, pillar and seat trim are produced using Hostacom CR 1171 G1 resins.
With a new additive package and mineral filler, a FIAT test showed that the compounds surpassed standard polypropylene materials in terms of scratch resistance and surface properties.
Essential to the successful development of the interior and exterior components was LyondellBasell's design and development expertise.
Remake of an iconic original:
FIAT, which launched the first 500 on July 4, 1957, renewed the legacy of the legendary automobile exactly 50 years later and brought the vehicle back into the market on July 4, 2007.
The 2008 “European Car of the Year” has been acclaimed as the most outstanding new car to go on sale in the last 12 months.
LyondellBasell Industries
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