ITW Plexus (Rushden, Northants, U.K.) reports that the new all-electric Electric RaceAbout (E-RA) car uses structural adhesives from ITW Plexus to bond no fewer than 24 individual components of the car body.

The car was conceived by Finland-based Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences. A full-size model was produced by a consortium consisting of engineering students, staff and partners from a number of automotive companies who supplied the technical know-how and materials. The car features the latest in electric power train and battery technology, is extremely lightweight, has no emissions, and has very low energy consumption.

Harri Santamala, E-RA chief engineer, commented “Using Plexus structural adhesives have allowed us to bond the components quick and easily, whilst offering excellent gap-filing properties and retaining a strong bond. We added a prepreg layup to the joint; therefore a heat -resistant adhesive was required. The characteristics of MA425 and MA830 were perfect to meet our requirements.”