Nonwovens are continuously becoming more attractive to automotive designers because of their low weight and low cost along with other advantages. However, there is a need for more creativity in terms of the aspect or other qualitative options from nonwovens suppliers. The recyclability of nonwoven materials is another key that will further unlock the acceptance of nonwovens in car design. To this end, a growing proportion of needle-punched nonwovens for automotive applications are being manufactured from recycled polyester derived from plastic bottles. AUTYL is Autoneum's (Switzerland) new damping product that increases the acoustic comfort in vehicles. Texel's ThermoFit technology addresses interior noise sources that were once considered uncontrollable. Nonwovens used in headliner scrims are growing as the industry shifts toward the needlepunch technology because it offers excellent elongation properties during the moulding operation. Headliners, carpets and trunkliners will use nonwovens, replacing tufted carpet or fabrics. This will demand new technology of needleloom with new patterning and new velour construction to satisfy the market standards. The use of natural fibres is growing rapidly. Texel is currently developing a wide range of new natural substrate with thermoset resins such as the ACRODUR from BASF. Sustainability will be the next challenge facing the industry. At Freudenberg Nonwovens, intensive development activities are underway including pilot production commercialization for components of fuel cells and Li-Ion batteries for electrical vehicles. The global automotive nonwovens market will continue to grow at a healthy pace in the years ahead.
Driving innovation
Innovationen bei Vliesstoffprodukten für den Automobilbau
Nonwovens Industry ; 44 , 12 ; 24-31
2013
5 Seiten, 3 Bilder
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Englisch
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