Technical Innovations
Acoustical foam from E-A-R
 TUFCOTE TBK-faced acoustical foam from E-A-R Specialty Composites is suitable for applicatoins in engine compartments, vehicle cabs, and pumps. |
E-A-R Specialty Composites has introduced a new noise-control product—TUFCOTE TBK acoustical foam—that features a durable, puncture-resistant urethane facing that is both decorative and functional. The matte, textured facing resists moisture, making the foam suitable for noise control in environments where it may be exposed to grease, oils, or engine fluids. Unlike foil facings, the nonglare surface provides a smoother appearance over irregular substrates and will not reflect or magnify adjacent surfaces.
Applications for the TBK foam include engine compartments, vehicle cabs, machinery housings, generators, pumps, and compressors. The foam is available from stock in thicknesses of 13 and 25 mm (0.5 and 1 in), and in custom-order thicknesses from 6 to 50 mm (0.25 to 2 in). The urethane facing, which coats the tiny recesses in the foam's top surface, measures 63.5 µm (2500 µin) thick. The company claims the foam readily accepts adhesive packages and is easily die cut or laminated.
- Jean L. Broge
Avista and Maxwell team for fuel cells
Avista Labs, the distributed power affiliate of Avista Corp., is using PowerCache ultracapacitors from Maxwell Technologies to optimize performance and reduce the cost of its modular fuel-cell systems and components. Maxwell develops and markets electronic components and power and computing systems for the transportation and industrial industries. Avista is developing fuel-cell products initially for application in distributed power generation and industrial power backup systems, and "may pursue future applications in vehicle auxiliary power units and industrial and consumer electronic devices."
Carl Eibl, Maxwell's President and CEO, and J. Michael Davis, Avista Labs' CEO, said that the companies have signed a multi-year supply agreement and are exploring areas of mutual interest for a broader strategic relationship.
"Avista Labs' proprietary design—integrating fuel-cell and ultracapacitor technologies—has produced a high-performance, compact generator system that can accelerate the advancement of fuel cells into the alternative power and components supply mainstream," said Eibl. The ultracapacitors deliver rapid bursts of power for start-up and peak load buffering, making them well suited for fuel-cell-energy generation.
"Our proprietary method of integrating ultracapacitors into our power-management circuitry will allow us to make components and systems across a range of voltage applications with significant reductions in size and cost," said Davis.
Avista's fuel-cell products are book-sized modular proton-exchange membrane fuel-cell cartridges. Individual cartridges can be removed and replaced ("hot-swapped") without shutting down the entire system, providing "zero downtime" power. According to Davis, Avista has installed dozens of operating demonstration fuel-cell generators in a range of field applications and is now offering products for selected commercial applications.
- Jean L. Broge
Next-generation steel body from SSAB
 SSAB Oxelösund has launched "HARDOX in my body," a new material concept to enable heavy-duty vehicle manufacturers to build lighter vehicles with stronger bodies.  |
An ultra high-strength steel wear plate, "HARDOX in my body," is being developed by SSAB Oxelösund as part of the company's new materials concept for heavy-duty vehicle manufacturers. Greater strength, improved stability, longer life, and reduced weight are some of the material's features stressed by SSAB.
The concept is based on the new wear plate, HARDOX 450, specially designed for vehicle load platforms and loading surfaces exposed to considerable wear. The steel can be produced over 3 m (10 ft) in width and as thin as 4 mm (0.16 in), allowing "entirely new load body structures" to be developed.
"The material has been decisive in providing high durability and low weight," said Gianni Scantanburlo of Zorzi SpA in Italy. "We have been able to leave out several beams, reinforcements, and stiffeners normally required in this type of construction. The plate is resistant and strong against impact forces and wear, while at the same time, the body as a whole is flexible and pliable when subject to impact forces."
Bodies constructed of the new steel have a "cushioning effect" that absorbs much of the energy of impacts. Tests by SSAB have shown bodies made of thin plates of the steel to withstand impact "without a mark or indentation" from blocks with a mass of several tons dropped from 3 m (10 ft).
- Jean L. Broge
