Partner

Automobiles should get lighter

Reading time: min


An improved driving behaviour is leading to a sinking petrol consumption..
Now, the time has come to consider the weight of the tires. Together, six German experts from Frauenhofer Institute have just developed a prototype of an extremely light automobile tire made out of a fortified fiber synthetic material called SMC. SMC, which consists of mainly non organic elements of SMC (Sheet Moulding Compound) composite, is already currently utilized for engine hood and doors.


The material is considerably lighter than metal or aluminium, and besides it could be produced in huge amounts at lower costs. The only reason that SMS has not been used up to now is because  the fact that the performance and durability of SMS  was still unknown.Tires are highly strained because they are permanently subject to tough strokes while running on uneven carriageways.

During an extensive 3 year endurance testing, German scientists have finally confirmed the reliablity of SMC. Project manager Andreas Büter from the Darmstadt Frauenhofer-Institute – responsible for operational stability and system- reliability declared that „ the fortified fiber synthetic material, when well processed, is highly damage resistant, very durable and even is superior to aluminum tires.“. Together with his colleagues, he has developed the prototype of a light SMC-tire. A local fiber fortification at the external layer provides an additional resilience. If industrial interest grows, this tire would hit serial production in the near future.

also available in   <link http: www.foundry-planet.com _top external-link-new-window deutsch>Deutsch

 

[0]