Dow Automotive Systems creates new heights in carbon fiber bonding technology

On May 23, 2016, Schwalbach, Germany——BETAFORCETM composite structural adhesive injection bonding technology, an innovative achievement of Dow Automotive Systems Business Unit in carbon fiber bonding solutions, has been successfully applied to BMW Group The latest all-new BMW 7 Series.

The development of this innovative injection bonding technology once again proves that by adjusting parameters such as open time and cycle time, Dow Automotive Systems can customize structural adhesives according to customers' special production requirements without affecting mechanical properties, helping Customers improve their assembly efficiency. With the application of injection bonding technology, carbon fiber components can be more widely used in the assembly of various materials, effectively supporting the lightweight strategy of automobile manufacturers.

Injection bonding technology can be used to bond carbon fiber parts to metal parts of the roof side frame. As shown, the carbon fiber components are embedded in a metal shell that runs along the A-pillar to the roof and down the D-pillar. This ensures passenger compartment stability in the event of a side impact or rollover, and increases the vehicle's torsional stiffness while maintaining minimum weight, improving ride and handling performance, and reducing noise, vibration and harshness (NVH). At the same time, BETAFORCE™ technology helps to address the challenges of bonding longer carbon fiber composite parts due to difficult management of coefficient of linear thermal expansion (CLTE) during vehicle assembly and service life.

About BETAFORCE? Composite Structural Adhesive

BETAFORCE® Composite Structural Adhesive is based on two-component polyurethane structural adhesive technology with high elongation and modulus. The high modulus guarantees the required stiffness, and the high elongation enables high energy absorption and flexible management of the coefficient of linear thermal expansion. To achieve the bonding of the two materials, the structural adhesive is robotically injected and wrapped around the carbon fibers, allowing for a durable bond between the different substrate components. In addition, the structural adhesive also has excellent adhesion properties to substrates made of different materials, such as carbon fiber or coated metal materials, thereby enabling advanced lightweight solutions, which are used by automobile manufacturers such as BMW Group.

This structural adhesive can be used to bond carbon fiber and coated steel and aluminum, and can be applied to roof, full carbon fiber body, or suspension parts such as doors.

About Dow Automotive Systems

Dow Automotive Systems Business Unit is part of the Dow Chemical Functional Materials Division, providing global automotive manufacturers, parts suppliers, aftermarket and commercial vehicle manufacturers with world-leading automotive solutions and advanced materials, including automotive Structural reinforcement systems, elastomers, rubber-to-metal adhesives, polyurethane foams, acoustic and noise reduction solutions, film solutions, automotive oils and innovative composite technologies, etc. Dow Automotive Systems Business Unit has branches and application centers all over the world, which can better provide technical, design and business support for downstream customers and end consumers.

About The Dow Chemical Company

Dow (NYSE:DOW) utilizes the power of science and technology to continuously innovate and create a better life for mankind. Dow drives innovation and creates value through materials, polymers, chemistry and biological sciences to address many of today's world's challenges, such as meeting the demand for clean water, generating and saving clean energy, and improving crop yields. With its integrated, market-driven, industry-leading specialty chemicals, advanced materials, agricultural sciences and plastics businesses, Dow provides a wide range of products and services to customers in about 180 countries and regions around the world, used in packaging, electronics High-growth markets such as products, water treatment, coatings and agriculture. In 2015, Dow's annual sales were nearly US$49 billion, with approximately 49,500 employees worldwide, operating 179 factories in 35 countries and regions, and more than 6,000 product lines. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its affiliates unless otherwise noted.