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Composites Technology takes a hands-on approach, with emphasis on engineering, design and manufacturing solutions for traditional and emerging applications using fiber reinforced-materials — primarily fiberglass — in structural or nonstructural forms. Our staff of editors is in constant contact with leading industry designers, manufacturers and end-users in order to bring our readers the latest technical advances. Our mission is to promote the use of composite materials around the world by offering useful technical information.

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Sabic, Ford Join Forces on Eco-Car

By Staff | February 2008

Ford Motor Co. (Dearborn, Mich.) rolled out the Lincoln MKT luxury concept car at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Mich., in mid-January. The car, labeled “eco-responsible” by Ford, is the result of close collaboration with SABIC Innovative Plastics (Pittsfield, Mass.). The Lincoln MKT (see photo) features composite parts molded with SABIC’s sustainable thermoplastic resins, which are based on “up-cycled” plastic waste. The car also benefits form lightweight glazing that reduces fuel consumption and emissions; and high-performance resins for ultrathin wire coating that cut vehicle weight and provide flame retardance without the risks associated with halogenated additives.

Source: Ford

SABIC’s smart iQ resins, made from up-cycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, replace metal in several new part applications in the MKT. Xenoy iQ resin was used in front and rear bumper energy absorbers, the center console, and liftgate inner structure; Valox iQ is targeted for the engine cover, connectors, power distribution boards, and the composite hood. According to SABIC, more than 2,000 PET bottles are used in each MKT. In the roof, windshield and rear liftgate of the MKT, deluxe glazing components — Lexan GLX polycarbonate (PC) resins with Exatec coating, bonded with a CarboTech carbon composite structure — reduce weight by 28.4 lb (12.9 kg) vs. glass.

Lincoln says it was able to reduce the weight of the MKT by 104 lb (47 kg) compared to the use of traditional materials. The carmaker points out that on a fleet of 125,000 similar vehicles, the weight reduction would result in savings of about 15 million gal (56 million liters) of gasoline and 282.2 million lb (128,000 metric tonnes) of CO2 emissions over the vehicles’ combined lifetimes. Unlike many concepts, Ford expects to have the MKT in dealer showrooms in 2009.

Source: Ford

The car is powered by a 3.5-liter V-6 EcoBoost engine that features turbocharging, direct injection and flex-fuel capability and develops 415 hp. The engine, and direct injection in particular, is a main focus of Ford’s efforts to increase fuel efficiency across its fleet.