Mitsubishi Chemical Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics for Audi RS 5 Roof
Delivery time:
2022-09-16 11:15
Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; General Manager: Hitoshi Ochi, hereinafter referred to as "MCC") announced that its carbon fiber composite materials have been used in the production of the Audi A5 series RS 5 premium sports coupe launched in June 2017 The high cycle compression molding (prepreg compression molding [PCM]) roof. The roof is manufactured using the PCM process and delivered to Audi by Wethje Carbon Composites GmbH ("Wethje"), a German MCC group company. Wethje is primarily responsible for the production of auto parts from carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP).
With the gradual tightening of fuel efficiency regulations and carbon dioxide emission control, the idea of reducing the weight of cars in the European auto market, especially in Germany, is becoming more and more intense, and the trend of making auto parts with lightweight and high-strength CFRP is intensifying. The prepreg material (the sheet-like carbon fiber intermediate material impregnated with resin) is produced by using the PCM mass production molding process to make the CFRP material independently developed by MCC, during which it is subjected to compression processing. Auto parts can be mass-produced within a cycle time of about five minutes. In addition, due to the very smooth surface of the mouldings, it can be processed with Class A coatings and can also be used to produce exterior panel parts. However, if the manufacturing method is further improved, a roof with an outer layer can be formed. This roof is made of carbon fiber and does not need to be painted at all, but the requirements for the quality of the material are very high.
Audi uses MCC's CFRP because the advantages of this material have been highly recognized by automakers. These benefits include a significant reduction in vehicle weight (approximately 40% compared to the same component using aluminium), improved drivability and a lower centre of gravity due to the reduced weight, and the roof has an outer layer made of carbon fibre that can Mass-produced, it is a combination of high quality and attractive design.
The Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Group's "APTSIS 20" mid-term management plan aims to exceed 100 billion yen in sales of carbon fibers and composite materials in 2020. To achieve this goal, MCC is actively expanding its business volume by targeting the market for fast-growing automotive applications and other industrial areas.
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