Plastics News. Magna International Inc. believes the auto industry may be nearing a new turning point at which thermoplastic composites could replace steel in the body frame of the car.
“This is moving from body structure to the full frame,” said William Harney, executive director of research and development for Magna’s exteriors and interiors group, during a media event at Magna’s Novi seating division facility Feb. 16.
Magna, headquartered in Aurora, Ontario, has developed an advanced composites research team that is looking at opportunities to move beyond typical targets for material replacement…The ability to combine in-line compounding with high-temperature resins such as nylon, however, would create thermoplastic composites that can withstand the high temperatures of an electrocoat process, expanding the range of places where it can be used, Harney said. The composites center also is looking into carbon-fiber processing, thermoset composites and a variety of other future structural plastic parts.