JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #57 - May 2010 - 53

KNOW-HOW
Thermoplastics

Modeling tool to predict the behaviour of filled polymers
It is now possible to predict the mechanical behaviour of filled polymers. Rhodia’s new MMI Confident Design™ technology, which already has four functional levels, gives free rein to innovation in the design of composite parts.
DR. GILLES ROBERT,
MATERIALS EXPERT

A highly appreciated technology
Manufacturers developing polyamide-based short-fibre composite parts in partnership with Rhodia now benefit from the simulation potential of the MMI Confident Design™ system. This technology is capable of precisely calculating the future behaviour of polymers – PA6.6 in particular – so that simulation modelling for plastics materials is well on its way to becoming just as predictive as steel modelling. Long committed to sustainable development, the Rhodia group sees this technology as a way of harnessing its innovation capacity to benefit its customers in the automotive and electronics markets. “Rhodia’s MMI Confident Design™ system enabled Trelleborg to market a brand new thermoplastic structured hydromount that is 30% lighter and cheaper while offering the same reliability level as competitive metal products. Rhodia and Trelleborg collaborated on the simulation and part testing steps, confirming that MMI Confident Design™ is a reliable design tool that takes into account the anisotropy of GFR thermoplastics”, as pointed out Ludovic Chauvet, advanced engineer at Trelleborg (Fig. 1).

& OLIVIER MOULINJEUNE, SIMULATION EXPERT, RHODIA RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY

lastic part manufacturers require increasingly sophisticated polymer data, with common data provided by data sheets or databases no longer meeting their needs. They need accurate information on the behaviour of stressed materials under a wide range of conditions such as impact resistance and high temperature resistance. They also need to be able to predict such behaviour with a high degree of reliability in the early development stages of their projects.

A true technological breakthrough
Rhodia Polyamide’s MMI Confident Design™ (Multi-scale modelling/ Mechanical calculation/ Injection moulding simulation for Confident Design) technology makes it possible to model the mechanical behaviour of short-fibre reinforced polyamide materials, opening the door to innovation. This technology has a number of competitive advantages: it offers a range of predictive models which ensure optimal design, weight and cost for polyamide parts. It accelerates time to market and reduces part design costs by substituting reliable virtual prototyping for costly physical prototypes requiring numerous development tests. It is also the first open technology accessible to all engineering and design departments. This new lever of innovation should appeal to any entity seeking to develop plastic parts. Many sectors can now more confidently consider replacing metal structural parts with polyamide, thereby reducing weight and production costs. Moreover, PA 6.6 is an ideal candidate for replacing metal: compared with many other plastic materials, it has excellent mechanical properties under high-impact and hightemperature conditions, a long-term lifespan, and high fluidity to ensure optimum processability.

Fig. 1: Engine mount developed by Trelleborg using MMI Confident Design™ technology

No57 May 2010 / jec composites magazine

JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #57 - May 2010

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #57 - May 2010