Reducing weight in transportation can increase safety, improve fuel efficiency, and reduce carbon emissions. According to the American Chemistry Council, plastic components make up 50 percent of a vehicles volume, but only 10 percent of its weight. One respected truck manufacturer chose Avient to help them lightweight their heavy truck applications.
This customer used Polystrand™ continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic (CFRTP) tapes and laminates in the trailer space of their heavy truck applications. These tapes and laminates combined high strength, unidirectional fibers and engineered thermoplastic resins to help reduce weight while maintaining exceptional strength and impact resistance.
Polystrand™ extended the life of the trucks by 20–25%, and reduced weight to improve fuel economy. The solution increased loading per square foot and provided a moisture and debris barrier, and because they are thermoplastic, these CFRTP materials will be more easily recycled compared to alternative materials.