IMPAXX Foam on Car of Tomorrow Roll Cage
(Photo: Dow Automotive)Whether for NASCAR or mass-production passenger vehicle use, Dow has designed the foam to absorb and attenuate energy in a crash. The energy of the impact is managed through a series of three controlled reactions within the foam that compress, buckle and fracture in a controlled, predictable manner. The result is a controlled release of impact energy, allowing forces to be better spread throughout the vehicle from the time of impact to the end of the crash sequence. For drivers, this means less G-forces at the impact point and also at cross-car.
NASCAR helps drive street solutions NASCAR and Dow Automotive have worked together for 18 months on this Car of Tomorrow safety project. While safety was the primary driver in the move to the Car of Tomorrow, efficiency of use is another important factor where the foam also contributes, says Dow. The material provides an ease of adaptability for specific NASCAR use, therefore making the solution very cost efficient. For example, the foam can be installed by cutting, shaping or forming parts designed to fit and fill spaces. In addition, the foam can be attached using a variety of methods, such as pressure-sensitive tapes and hot-melts, mechanical screws and clips. A number of inherent proven characteristics were critical to NASCAR's decision to mandate the use of IMPAXX foam in every Car of Tomorrow, including:
* The foam is 50 percent lighter, costs less, is 30 percent more efficient (better vibration, strength, compression, shock absorbency and water resistance characteristics) and provides consistent performance, with low variability at temperature extremes.
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to see the
data spec sheets
on IMAPXX.* Lower cost of tooling.
* Great flexibility in fitting into predetermined spaces, as it can be cut and shaped into any form and size. IMPAXX is available in a variety of densities and sizes, and is shipped in sheets, blocks or custom-fabricated parts.
* The foam is ideal for airbag deployment areas, as well as larger parts, such as bumpers and doors.
* It is an easily recycled, environmentally friendly material that meets governmental flammability requirements for interior automotive components. The foam is also a non-CFC, non-HCFC, non-HFC[HG1] material that complies with the federal Clean Air Act.
"Our team at the NASCAR R&D Center has been studying ways in which energy can be absorbed during impacts on the racetrack, and the energy management material developed by Dow Automotive is what we found worked the best," says Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president of competition. "Through our combined efforts and shared technology, we believe the new energy-absorbing foam that will be placed between the roll cage door bars and door panels on the Car of Tomorrow will help make it safer for the driver."
(Source: Dow
Automotive)
