Velozzi Collaborates With Nanoledge to Provide Innovative Resin Solutions Using Carbon Nanotubes from Bayer
(Nanowerk News) Bayer MaterialScience LLC, one of the world's leading suppliers of multi-walled carbon nanotubes, will collaborate with Nanoledge Inc., a leading innovative epoxy resin formulator, to provide a full range of high-performance epoxy-based materials to the composite market in North America.
Alternative energy vehicle (AEV) maker Velozzi and Bayer MaterialScience are collaborating to develop lightweight hybrid electric vehicles to be built with components using Baytubes® multi-walled carbon nanotubes.
"We at Velozzi are proud to be at the forefront of producing body and interior components using epoxy, carbon fiber and nanotubes. Baytubes can increase the mechanical properties of our components up to 40 percent. We are excited to work with Nanoledge as a formulator of epoxy resin systems with carbon nanotubes," said Velozzi head Roberto Jerez.
Nanoledge will use its Nano In™ technology to integrate Bayer MaterialScience's Baytubes multi-walled carbon nanotubes into epoxy resin to improve the mechanical performance of composites. For example, Baytubes will be used to reduce crack growth and improve fatigue, impact and compression resistance, without compromising other properties.
Baytubes multi-walled carbon nanotubes can be added to a wide range of materials including polymer matrices or metal systems as a modifier or filler to improve their mechanical strength and/or antistatic properties, and are increasingly used in epoxy, thermoplastic and coating systems.
The collaboration, combining Bayer MaterialScience's expertise in carbon nanotube synthesis and manufacturing with Nanoledge's expertise in epoxy resin and composite processing, will support a full range of product innovations including ready-to-use formulations, prepregs and resin films.
"Collaborating with Bayer MaterialScience enables us to respond to strong customer demand for higher-performing, epoxy-based composites with improved damage tolerance," said Benoit Balmana, managing director Americas, Nanoledge. "We can improve toughness, compression resistance, fatigue, impact resistance and bending strength resistance without decreasing other performance features of the composite."
"Strategic collaborations such as this enable innovations that leapfrog customers over their competition," said Joe Ventura, business development manager, Bayer MaterialScience LLC. "Furthermore, end-users can bring their products to market with the peace-of-mind that they have a reliable source for multi-walled carbon nanotubes at an optimum price/performance ratio." Ventura cited the collaboration with Velozzi, a new OEM, and Nanoledge as an example. The collaboration will support Velozzi's goal to develop a crossover vehicle, the SOLO, capable of achieving 100 miles per gallon. The carmaker is also designing a high-performance sports model, the Velozzi Supercar.
Bayer MaterialScience LLC is one of the leading producers of polymers and high-performance plastics in North America and is part of the global Bayer MaterialScience business with nearly 15,100 employees at 30 sites around the world and 2008 sales of 9.7 billion euros. Business activities are focused on the manufacture of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, electrical and electronics, construction, medical, and sports and leisure industries.
NANOLEDGE is a leading innovative formulator and solutions provider for users of specialty epoxy systems. Combining established systems expertise with the nanotechnologies, Nanoledge has recently launched its INNOVIUM resin solutions for bringing customers unique and innovative approach to solve high performance problems, building together better and safer materials.
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