Ascend Performance Materials, the world’s largest fully integrated producer of polyamide 6,6 resin, will showcase a new grade of its Vydyne PA66 designed for automotive lightweighting at Fakuma in Friedrichshafen, Germany, from 16-20 October 2018. The new grade, Vydyne R433H, is designed to reinforce down-gauged steel and aluminum used in vehicle body in white (BIW) structures, helping reduce weight without sacrificing safety or comfort.

Vydyne R433H has improved energy absorption over traditional glass-filled PA66, reducing noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) and absorbing impact energy from crashes. Using the new grade in the BIW structure reinforces sheet metal, helping manufacturers shave substantial weight and improve efficiency.

In electric vehicles, where lightweighting and NVH reduction are especially important, R433H also works well in battery frame and housing applications.

The BIW accounts for nearly half the weight of a vehicle. Balancing a reduction in weight with passenger comfort and safety has been a technical challenge. We’re excited to bring a solution to market that meets manufacturers’ drive toward efficiency with the consumer’s desire for a safe, comfortable driving experience.

—Vikram Gopal, Ascend’s senior vice president of technology