Japan's Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Co., Ltd. revealed that it is actively promoting 'PCM' (prepreg compression molding) technology, which uses carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) to make large-sized parts, and the roof of Audi's RS5 Coupe sports car. It is made using this technology.
The roof of the RS5 Coupe sports car is 60% and 30% lighter than the steel roof and aluminum alloy roof. The PCM technology is heated by a mold by pre-forming sheet material (made of carbon fiber impregnated with thermosetting epoxy resin). It is pressed into a carbon fiber reinforced plastic part.
By improving the material composition and additives, Mitsubishi Chemical has developed an epoxy resin that can harden quickly and is not easy to absorb water. As a result, preforms can be formed in three to five minutes, which shortens the processing time. Moreover, because of its low water absorption It is unlikely to become uneven during press forming, which helps to improve its appearance.
In order to make a new roof, six to eight prepregs are stacked to make a multi-layer prepreg, which is used as a roofing material. In order to improve the roof strength, six to seven unidirectional prepregs are used to stack when the angle is changed. , so that the power is even. On the top of the roof, a cloth prepreg made of woven carbon fiber is placed to show the folds of carbon fiber.
The roof made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic is lighter and 60% lighter than the steel roof, so in addition to improving the appearance of the car, it can also reduce the center of gravity and improve driving performance.