Huntsman will announce the development of innovative polyurethane, carbon nanotube and epoxy materials at The Battery Show in May 2023, which are all designed to help improve the integration of batteries into electric vehicles and enhance their protection and performance, said the company.
In a move that helps to deliver high-performance composite battery structures, alongside design and production flexibility, Huntsman has assembled a portfolio of customizable, quick-cure, high-strength polyurethane and epoxy resins that can be used to create underbody and top cover battery protection components up to 30% quicker than some existing technologies. Crucially, the products can also lower overall part weight and increase strength and structural performance. A range of products is currently available covering various battery performance and protection needs: Targeting underbody battery protection, Huntsman offers RIMLINE WCM system - a low viscosity liquid resin that enables the moulding of high fibre volume fraction composites under low pressure.
Balancing a long working life and short cure time with easy mould release, this system can help reduce overall cycle times and is formulated for use on high pressure-mix machines. For battery enclosures, ARALDITE FST resins allow the design of flame retardant composite. These OEM- qualified systems have proven performance and reliability, meeting battery safety requirements.
Targeting battery underfloor protection, Huntsman has developed three products: RIMLINE FC (foam core) system can offer a cost-effective solution for manufacturing sandwich composites. This lightweight system has great flow properties, which can help with the creation of complex 3D shapes. This system can typically also adhere well to different overmoulding materials and cure quickly for fast cycle times. RIMLINE LFI (long fibre injection) resin system can be moulded into strong stiff parts with a density of - for example - 1100 kg/cu m including 30% glass fibre reinforcement.
The resulting parts can help to provide lower total sandwich thickness and improved damage tolerance. ARALDITE 3031 / 3032 WCM system has proven in operation to combine fastest processing cure time and outstanding mechanical properties and stiffness. Targeting top cover applications, VITROX WCM system enables the development of composite lid structures that can help achieve thermal resistance while reducing weight compared to metallic cover ARALDITE SMC solutions enable part design freedom for semi-structural applications and requirements. In the electric vehicle battery cell, Huntsman has also developed a range of materials that help with lightweighting and improved conductivity, as well as thermal, vibration, and structural protection.
SHOKLESS encapsulation foam and elastomer systems help to create potting foams and encapsulants that are mechanically strong and have the thermal insulation and vibration dampening properties needed to protect batteries at a cell, module, and pack level. ARATHANE thermally conductive adhesives and encapsulants provide excellent mechanical fixation and thermal connection, enabling effective heat management from the cells and enabling new battery pack designs and higher performance batteries. For battery cell producers looking to increase the capacity of their cells or interested in reduction of the weight of their cells, Huntsman has introduced MIRALON NMP Dispersions and MIRALON Current Collectors.
We remind, Huntsman completed the USD593m sale of its Textile Effects division to Archroma, a company owned by the private-equity firm SK Capital Partners. Archroma was set up by SK Capital Partners in 2013 after acquiring the textile chemicals, paper specialties and emulsions businesses from Swiss producer Clariant in 2013. It has about 3,000 employees in 25 facilities globally.
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