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Ford & DowAksa to work on automotive carbon fibre research

27 Jan '15

2 min read

Ford, a global automotive industry leader, and DowAksa, industrial carbon fibre manufacturer, are set to accelerate research on developing high-volume manufacturing techniques for automotive grade carbon fibre, aiming to make vehicles lighter for greater fuel efficiency, performance, and capability.

The companies will be part of the newly formed Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation, created by the US Government. The institute is part of the larger National Network for Manufacturing Innovation supported by the US Department of Energy.

The mission of the institute and the goal of Ford’s collaboration with DowAksa is to overcome the high cost and limited availability of carbon fibre, while developing a viable, high-volume manufacturing process. Ford and Dow Chemical began working together in 2012 to develop low cost, high volume carbon fibre composites, according to press release.

Ford’s expertise in high-volume manufacturing, design and engineering complements DowAksa’s strength in producing materials that make up carbon composites to create parts much lighter than steel components but with no loss of strength.

Jim deVries, Ford global manager, materials and manufacturing research said, “This opportunity builds upon Ford’s current joint development agreement with Dow Chemical and accelerates our time line to introduce carbon fibre composites into high-volume applications.”

“This collaboration helps us accelerate our efforts to create lighter automotive-grade composite materials that benefit customers by enabling improved fuel economy without sacrificing strength,” he added.

Douglas Parks, DowAksa board member said, “DowAksa’s technology and manufacturing expertise will help effectively overcome barriers to entry for the use of carbon fibre composites in high-volume automotive applications. The new institute provides a collaborative platform to accelerate our progress.”

Carbon fibre composites have been used in aircraft and racing cars for decades because they provide high strength with extremely low weight.

Creating lighter vehicles is a major part of Ford’s Blueprint for Sustainability to reduce fuel consumption and exhaust emissions. (GK)

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India