General Motors and Montell Announce Joint Development
4 December 1998
General Motors and Montell Announce Development of TPO-Based Nanocomposite for Automotive Industry
New Materials Reduce Weight, Improve Mechanical and Physical Properties
Over Conventional Systems
LANSING, Mich., Dec. 3 -- General Motors (GM) Research &
Development and Montell North America today announced the joint development of
a new family of thermoplastic olefins (TPOs) which provides benefits for
interior and exterior automotive applications. Compared to conventional
olefin-compounds, the new thermoplastic olefin-based nanocomposites reduce
weight and improve dimensional stability and other physical properties, such
as stiffness and low temperature impact performance.
Using the new technology, the companies have already produced prototype
rear quarter and exterior door panels. The parts were unveiled today at
Montell's Automotive Technology and Development Center in Lansing, Mich.
General Motors currently has the new material undergoing validation
testing and plans further development of additional nanocomposite systems.
According to Montell's Automotive and Industrial Business Group Technical
Director Theo Zwygers, the term "nanocomposite" refers to composites designed
at the nanometer (10(-9)m) level. "Incorporating a sub-micron particle into a
polymeric substrate, such as TPO, results in enhanced physical properties,
without increased weight or loss of low temperature properties or opacity."
Smectite Clay as Nanocomposite Component
The joint development program began in June 1997. Engineers at GM and
Montell selected a family of natural clays commonly referred to as "smectite
clays" as the nano-contributing component. The clays are being provided by
Texas-based Southern Clay Products, Inc., another joint development partner in
this project.
"The use of nanocomposites will have a remarkable impact on the
manufacture of automobiles over the next two decades," said Elio Eusebi,
department head, General Motors Research & Development. "The property
enhancements this technology affords -- including a substantial weight
reduction -- will lead to the next generation of many automotive parts,"
said Eusebi.
Viability of TPO-based Nanocomposites
"In partnership with GM, we have for the first time demonstrated the
viability of TPO-based nanocomposites, which have significant benefits over
traditional thermoplastic materials and fillers, such as talc, mica, CaCO3 and
others," said Montell's Zwygers. He noted, "We have shown that the use of
five percent smectite clay exfoliated in TPO provides stiffness
characteristics equivalent to a 25-35 percent talc-filled material. These new
composites are produced on conventional manufacturing equipment."
The use of light weight nanocomposites will improve the potential for the
recyclability of automobiles in the future. "As auto manufacturers become
more and more consistent in their use of mono-materials, it will become
increasingly easier to recycle them," said Eusebi. "The use of olefin-based
nanocomposites throughout the automobile will help us make great strides in
our efforts to reduce waste and protect the environment."
"We're pleased that so much has been accomplished in a relatively short
time," said Eusebi. "The combined technical resources of Montell, Southern
Clay and GM proved very effective in rapidly bringing this development from
concept to reality."
According to Bill Windscheif, director of sales and marketing for
Montell's Automotive Business Group, "This new family of TPOs demonstrates yet
another extension of what polyolefins and polypropylene offer the automotive
industry."
Montell is a global leader in the production, marketing and sale of
polyolefins, advanced materials and related products, and is the world's
largest producer of polypropylene. It has manufacturing plants and technical
centers in principal markets around the world. Montell is also the recognized
leader in the development of polypropylene catalysts and process technologies,
and is committed to an active program of research and development of new
products. Montell's Automotive Technology and Development Center in Lansing,
Mich., is the premier supplier of polyolefin-based technologies to the global
automotive market.
General Motors Research and Development is the central research and
development facility for General Motors Corporation. General Motors
Corporation is the world's largest vehicle manufacturer. GM designs,
manufactures and markets cars, trucks, automotive systems, heavy-duty
transmissions, and locomotives worldwide. Other substantial business
interests include Hughes Electronics Corporation and General Motors Acceptance
Corporation.
Southern Clay is a leading supplier of ultra-pure smectite clays to the
global marketplace.
For more information about the joint development effort between General
Motors and Montell, contact: Mary Woodbeck, General Motors, 810-986-0160; and
Jim Keeler, Montell Automotive Business Group, 248-244-1445.