Structural Components
The composites GMT and GMTex developed by Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials Composites make it possible to replace structural and semi-structural vehicle parts made of metal with lighter, fabric-reinforced composite components.
These innovative materials are already firmly established in large-series production. Among others, bumper brackets, battery cases and even body parts like the front end are made from GMT or GMTex.
The composite-only solution without additional steel reinforcement in series production is possible because the reinforced thermoplastic composite materials display extremely good material properties in terms of rigidity, strength, dimensional stability and crash performance.
The use of GMT and GMTex always yields weight savings, fewer production steps in series production and greater design freedom.
Applications in Europe
Bentley Continental
Material: GMT
Part Information: Dimension: 550 x 480 x 150 mm (1.5 kg)
Dimension: 800 x 470 x 220 mm (2.3 kg)
Weight: 7.5 kg per set of 2 seats
Thickness: 3 mm
Functions:
- very high stiffness
- light weight
- Absorption of crash loads
- fixation for textile liner
- anti-submarie function
- safety belt guides
Technology: One-step-moulding
Advantages:
- very good toughness behaviour
- very good tensile bending properties
- ductile failure; robust handling
Mercedes S-Class Coupé
Material: GMTex
Part Information: Weight 3.4 kg (all three parts)
Dimension: 1560 x 460 x 250 mm
Thickness 3-25 mm
Functions:
- Fixation of hood (6000N test force)
- Fixation of radiator and lamp housings
- Controlled engergy absorption
- Good dampening behaviour
Technologies:
- Flow moulding
- Holes partly stamped in during molding/
others machined after molding - Inserts and steel bushes pressed in after molding
Advantages:
- Part integration, 10 sheets metal parts -> 3 GMTex parts
- high stiffness and dimensional stability
- good fatigue behaviour up to 130° C
- Weight reduction
- Corrosion resistance
Mercedes C-Class
Material: GMT
Part Information: Weight: 1.3 kg
Dimensions: 1250 x 415 mm
Thickness: 2.2 mm
Functions:
- Engine protectioin
- Lower stiffener for pedestrian protection
Advantages:
- Improvement of NVH
- Improvement aerodynamics
Applications in Japan
Toyota Harrier Hybrid
Material: GMT
Part Information: Dimensions: 1150 x 610 x 120 mm
Thickness: 2.0 mm
Weight: 1520 g
Advantages:
- Improvement of aerodynamic property
- Weight reduction
- Less fixation points due to high stiffness
- Protection for fuel tank
- Design freedom
Mitsubishi Colt
Material: GMT
Part Information: Dimensions: 1030 x 250 x 740 mm
Thickness: 2 mm
Weight: 770 g
Advantages:
- Improvement of aerodynamic property
- Weight reduction
- Less fixation points due to high stiffness
- Protection for engine
- Design freedom
- Noise shielding property
Nissan Inifiti FX45
Material: GMT/ GMTex
Part Information: Dimensions: 1450 x 1050 x 380 mm
Thickness: 3.0 mm
Weight: 6.265 kg
Advantages:
- Parts integration
- Design freedom
- Excellent impact property
- Weight reduction
- High stiffness
- Function integration
Mitsubishi i-MiEV
Material: Tray / Cover - GMT
Part Information: Tray
Dimension: 1380 x 700 mm
Thickness: 3-17 mm
Cover
Dimension: 1400 x 720 mm
Thickness: 3 mm
Functions:
- Storage of 22 Li-ion Batteris (165 kg in total)
- Protection of batteries against crash (side impact, rollover, etc.)
Technologies:
- One-step-moulding
- Nut and metal inserts during molding (Tray)
- Holes machined after molding (Cover)
Advantages:
- Light weight (-20% compare with AL casting)
- Corrosion resistance against battery fluid
- ductile failure
- robust handling
Suzuki Wagon R
Material: GMT
Product information: Dimensions: 270 x 140 x 250 mm
Thickness: 2.5 mm
Weight: 350g
Function:
- One-shot mold
- Integration with Heat Shield
Advantages:
- Energy absorption
- Weight reduction
- Design freedom
- Vibration dampening property
- Chemical resistance
- Heat resistance (Integration with heat shield)