Teijin Aramid B.V. announced that its Twaron para-aramid fiber would be deployed in the solar-powered vehicles being developed by the KU Leuven and University of Michigan teams taking part in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, the world’s biggest solar car racing event taking place in Australia from October 8th to 15th.
The Teijin Group intends to further strengthen its ability to deliver innovative technological solutions in fields such as weight reduction and battery efficiency, it plans to meet the expected growth in global demand for electric vehicles leading up to the year 2040, by which time these are expected to become the default mode of transportation.
The KU Leuven team is using Twaron-based parts above the tracking box and in the driver safety canopy to allow the vehicle to send and receive electromagnetic signals, enabling more precise communication and the monitoring of signal transceivers.
The Michigan University team is using Twaron to reinforce the undercarriage of their vehicle, utilizing the material’s superior abrasion resistance and high strength-to-weight ratio.
Toho Tenax America will be providing its Tenax carbon fiber to both teams.