Targeting automotive lightweighting applications, Borealis (Vienna / Austria; www.borealisgroup.com) has added three new carbon fibre-reinforced grades to its “Fibremod” family of reinforced PP. The additions are said to be particularly suitable for use in chain tensioners, pump casings, headlamp housings, oil pans, seat frames, armrests, shifting gates and frames for sliding roofs. The company is also looking into employing the grades in structural parts for under-the-hood applications.

The new grades are Fibremod “CB201SY” (PP CF30) and “CB301SY” (PP CF30), both allowing weight reductions of up to 40% compared to other materials currently in use, as well as Fibremod “CB401SY” (PP CF40), characterised by extremely high stiffness and targeted as an alternative to high-performance plastics.

Borealis said Fibremod Carbon enables the same weight reductions as magnesium or carbon fibre-reinforced polyamide, adding that it does not corrode from or take in liquid it comes in touch with and also allows processors to save costs during the injection moulding process.