Solvay Speciality Polymers, a leading global supplier of high-performance polymers, announced that Hankuk Carbon Co., a pioneering composites manufacturer based in South Korea, selected Solvay’s high-performance Virantage polyethersulfone (PESU) to improve the toughness, heat resistance, and processing consistency of a thermoset composite prepreg.

The prepreg is intended for use by a major US automotive OEM for a commercial automotive fender and roof application. Solvay’s broad offering of such lightweighting solutions underscores the company’s proactive support of the industry’s growing adoption of carbon composites.

Armin Klesing, global business development manager for aerospace and composites at Solvay Specialty Polymers said, “As an industry leader in high-performance thermoset composite tougheners, Solvay is committed to supporting the success of our global automotive customers who are striving to reduce vehicle weight and meet increasingly stringent emission standards. Our collaboration with Hankuk Carbon on these cutting-edge applications highlights the added value that Virantage PESU tougheners offer compared to conventional materials.”

Solvay’s Virantage PESU tougheners can increase the impact strength of thermoset composites parts by nearly 40 per cent and provide a step-change improvement in heat resistance. Because Virantage PESU micropowders are compatible with a range of epoxy systems, they disperse more quickly vs. conventional impact modifiers, thereby improving processability and consistency in high-volume composite production. Already widely used in prepreg production for commercial and military aircraft applications, Virantage PESU tougheners are attracting increasing interest from automotive engineers as an integral part of their vehicle lightweighting strategy as they seek to meet emerging CO2 emission standards, according to a press release. (GK)