Carbon Composite Combines with Thermoplastics for Award Winning ZL1 Carbon Fiber Hood - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Sven59 · 12-04-2012, 09:22 AM

Nice article on the ZL1 Carbon Fiber hood insert.

http://www.plasticstoday.com/article...cation-121204a

A single piece woven carbon fiber construction provides a light weight, functional, and aesthetically pleasing air extractor in the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 sports car. Located on the hood, the composite part pulls air through the lower grille and out through the hood, cooling the engine, increasing efficiency and reducing lift in the process.

The component was named the winner in the Performance & Customization (Aftermarket) category of the Society of Plastics Engineers' (SPE) 42nd-annual Automotive Innovation Awards Competition.

The hood scoops are produced using epoxy/carbon fiber single sided tools and vacuum bagging techniques. Multiple low volume tools are used in the process, demonstrating that a consistent part can be manufactured with multiple tooling sets.
The component makes extensive use of adhesive bonding to incorporate components made from different materials. Two such components are a polyamide vent screen and a thermoplastic polyester water deflector. In addition, the adhesive bonding strategy isolates the carbon fiber panel from the aluminum hood to avoid galvanic corrosion effects. A 50% weight saving was achieved versus traditional construction methods.

Sabic's Innovative Plastics (Pittsfield, MA) supplied the Valox thermoplastic polyester resin for the water deflector. The grade delivered the high mechanical and thermal performance needed in this demanding under-hood environment. Sabic, working with GM and system supplier TransGlobal LLC, helped develop the water deflector by providing material selection assistance, predictive engineering work, as well as tool build design and validation support.

This component, designed to deflect water from entering the engine compartment, must be able to withstand high temperatures coming from the engine. This is particularly critical given the deflector's location on the under-side of the hood and close proximity to the engine. The Valox resin grade selected for this application meets the requirement, delivering up to 216°C in heat resistance, while also offering an excellent balance of chemical resistance, dimensional stability and impact performance.

Another key benefit of Valox resin for this application is the material's high quality feel and surface appearance, giving the deflector part a premium look and aesthetic attractiveness that consumers demand in a high-performance sports car. The part is also molded-in color, offering improved aesthetics while reducing costs and emissions associated with the painting process.

BlackZL1 · 12-04-2012, 10:29 AM

Cool Technology, I work in the aerospace industry and the Engineering Structures are moving in this direction of carbon composite thermol plastics or (RTL) and replacing Aluminum and Titanium..

s/c ss · 12-04-2012, 03:48 PM

Cool article. Thanks for posting.

DanSS24 · 12-04-2012, 04:39 PM

Cool article. Would be cooler if we could see the process of how it's done, especially how they made the ZL1 Extractor.

Catfish · 12-05-2012, 11:40 AM

According to the latest C&D, the 2014 Corvette will have carbon fiber body panels and other extensive uses.

OVERPAR73 · 12-07-2012, 12:50 PM

I love this hood insert, I only wish mine was the ECF clear coated! Mine is painted gray and I would love the clear coated insert. I'm trying to go with the carbon looking car with all additional carbon parts.

Anybody want to trade?

2012 ZL1#1658 · 12-07-2012, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OVERPAR73

I love this hood insert, I only wish mine was the ECF clear coated! Mine is painted gray and I would love the clear coated insert. I'm trying to go with the carbon looking car with all additional carbon parts.

Anybody want to trade?

Nope.

LAWMAN · 12-07-2012, 01:39 PM

Like it,just need the car to put it on,

*mlee* · 12-07-2012, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OVERPAR73

I love this hood insert, I only wish mine was the ECF clear coated! Mine is painted gray and I would love the clear coated insert. I'm trying to go with the carbon looking car with all additional carbon parts.

Anybody want to trade?

I tried that a while back, but now I'm so glad I stayed with black. Not many black ones out there now.

*radz28* · 12-09-2012, 10:40 AM

VERY cool find! That's probably my favorite appearance item on ZL1.

JFWJR179 · 12-27-2012, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2012 ZL1#1658

Nope.

Nope - I'll keep my EWCF mohawk

12-04-2012, 10:29 AM	#2
BlackZL1 BLACK ZL1 Drives: Dodge 3500, 2012 ZL1 VIN#371 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Spokane, Wa Posts: 132 View My Garage	Cool Technology, I work in the aerospace industry and the Engineering Structures are moving in this direction of carbon composite thermol plastics or (RTL) and replacing Aluminum and Titanium.. __________________

12-04-2012, 03:48 PM	#3
s/c ss Drives: 13 ZL1, 10 Silverado LTZ, Chopper Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Pittsbugh,PA Posts: 743 View My Garage	Cool article. Thanks for posting. __________________

12-04-2012, 04:39 PM	#4
DanSS24 Drives: Dream Cars in my head Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: 808 Posts: 1,290	Cool article. Would be cooler if we could see the process of how it's done, especially how they made the ZL1 Extractor. __________________ Wishful thinking...but I sure can dream big.

12-05-2012, 11:40 AM	#5
Catfish Catfish Drives: 2012 Camaro ZL1 #361 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: North Carolina Posts: 60	According to the latest C&D, the 2014 Corvette will have carbon fiber body panels and other extensive uses. __________________ *2012 ZL1* VIN# : 361 DELIVERED ON 4-12-12 *Victory Red, Alum Wheels, Manual, Carbon Fiber Mohawk* Performance Mods to Date: Rotofab cold air intake, Kooks 1 7/8" LT headers w/ Calico KoolBlack ceramic coating, Kooks high flow cats, Corsa 3" X-pipe cat-back exhaust, 160 degree thermostat, 2.50" Supercharger Pulley, PCM Catch Can, Rotofab Supercharger Reservoir, 1000cc Injectors, MSD Boost-a-Pump,Tuned by PCM of NC 604 RWHP & 622 RWT !! Also, 2001 Silverado Z71, Pewter w/ Extended Cab & 2013 Chevy Cruise LTZ/RS White

12-07-2012, 12:50 PM	#6
OVERPAR73 2018 Garnet Red ZL1 conve Drives: 2013 & 2018 ZL1 vert Join Date: May 2009 Location: Des Moines, IA Posts: 1,471 View My Garage	I love this hood insert, I only wish mine was the ECF clear coated! Mine is painted gray and I would love the clear coated insert. I'm trying to go with the carbon looking car with all additional carbon parts. Anybody want to trade? __________________ Build Thread: 2018 ZL1 Vert Purchased (Overpar73)

12-04-2012, 09:22 AM	#1
Sven59 HAMMER PILOT Drives: 13 ZL1#182, 85 CJ7, 16 Silverado Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Tucson AZ Posts: 4,386	Carbon Composite Combines with Thermoplastics for Award Winning ZL1 Carbon Fiber Hood Nice article on the ZL1 Carbon Fiber hood insert. http://www.plasticstoday.com/article...cation-121204a A single piece woven carbon fiber construction provides a light weight, functional, and aesthetically pleasing air extractor in the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 sports car. Located on the hood, the composite part pulls air through the lower grille and out through the hood, cooling the engine, increasing efficiency and reducing lift in the process. The component was named the winner in the Performance & Customization (Aftermarket) category of the Society of Plastics Engineers' (SPE) 42nd-annual Automotive Innovation Awards Competition. The hood scoops are produced using epoxy/carbon fiber single sided tools and vacuum bagging techniques. Multiple low volume tools are used in the process, demonstrating that a consistent part can be manufactured with multiple tooling sets. The component makes extensive use of adhesive bonding to incorporate components made from different materials. Two such components are a polyamide vent screen and a thermoplastic polyester water deflector. In addition, the adhesive bonding strategy isolates the carbon fiber panel from the aluminum hood to avoid galvanic corrosion effects. A 50% weight saving was achieved versus traditional construction methods. Sabic's Innovative Plastics (Pittsfield, MA) supplied the Valox thermoplastic polyester resin for the water deflector. The grade delivered the high mechanical and thermal performance needed in this demanding under-hood environment. Sabic, working with GM and system supplier TransGlobal LLC, helped develop the water deflector by providing material selection assistance, predictive engineering work, as well as tool build design and validation support. This component, designed to deflect water from entering the engine compartment, must be able to withstand high temperatures coming from the engine. This is particularly critical given the deflector's location on the under-side of the hood and close proximity to the engine. The Valox resin grade selected for this application meets the requirement, delivering up to 216°C in heat resistance, while also offering an excellent balance of chemical resistance, dimensional stability and impact performance. Another key benefit of Valox resin for this application is the material's high quality feel and surface appearance, giving the deflector part a premium look and aesthetic attractiveness that consumers demand in a high-performance sports car. The part is also molded-in color, offering improved aesthetics while reducing costs and emissions associated with the painting process. __________________ "DO YOU WANT ME TO PUT THE HAMMER DOWN?"

12-07-2012, 01:39 PM	#8
LAWMAN Drives: 2010 cam.2ss/rs.iom,07'escalade esv Join Date: May 2009 Location: Pasc.Ms. Posts: 841	Like it,just need the car to put it on, __________________ A9120159 1100:12/19/08 3800:06/19/09 6000:07/02/09

12-09-2012, 10:40 AM	#10
radz28 Petro-sexual Drives: Ultra-Grin Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Crazy Coast Posts: 15,201 View My Garage	VERY cool find! That's probably my favorite appearance item on ZL1. __________________ '20 ZL1 Black "Fury" A10, PDR, Exposed CF Extractor Magnuson Magnum DI TVS2650R // RFBG // Soler 103 // TooHighPSI Port Injection // THPSI Billet Lid // FF // Katech Drop-In // PLM Heat Exchanger // ZLE Cradle bushings // BMR Chassis-Suspension Stuff // aFe Bars // Diode Dynamics LEDs // ACS Composites Guards // CF Dash // Aeroforce // tint // other stuffs