Composite materials are ideal for automotive wheels, as they combine light weight with high stiffness and strength. Using composite wheels reduces unsprung weight, which improves traction and control, while composites’ greater stiffness translates to a more dynamic driving experience. Huntsman offers a range of resin systems optimized for production of composite wheels.
ARALDITE® resin solutions for composite wheels offer outstanding performance for both OEMs and after-market wheel producers. Their high thermomechanical performance meets the most stringent safety requirements for impact and fatigue resistance, and Huntsman's innovative chemistry delivers exceptional color stability and UV resistance, resulting in high aesthetic-quality parts.
Glass transition temperature (Tg):
210 - 220°C
Tensile strength:
40 - 45 MPa
Suitable for:
First generation system with high thermal resistance designed for the production of hybrid and full-composite wheels by RTM and HP-RTM. The system is OEM qualified and has proven performance and reliability from several years of on-road service.
Glass transition temperature (Tg):
195 - 205°C
Tensile strength:
70 - 80 MPa
Suitable for:
Second generation system with increased strength and toughness, plus high aesthetic properties for the most demanding wheel designs. Adjustable accelerator technology allows optimum fast-curing to be tailored to a given wheel design.
The choice of a resin system also impacts the driving experience—our chemistries deliver reduced road noise, improved vehicle handling and decreased braking distance.
Huntsman has advanced the science of impact resistance in conjunction with the ability to perform at the high temperatures required by the latest disc braking systems.
Huntsman’s resin systems have been designed for mass production, and are available in different formulations to support multiple manufacturing processes. New-generation products enable increased productivity and improved aesthetic qualities, allowing intricate and colorful designs.
Battery Housing
Our resin systems allow to reduce battery housing designs weight by up to 40%, while meeting all safety, mechanical and thermal requirements.
View Battery HousingBody in White
We offer resin systems optimized for composite body-in-white parts that are superior to aluminum and often even steel concerning strength and stiffness.
View Body in WhiteWheel
Our resin solutions for composite wheels meet the most stringent safety requirements for impact and fatigue resistance, and deliver exceptional color stability and UV resistance.
View WheelLeaf Spring
We offer a range of resin systems for the production of composite leaf springs, that can be up to five times more durable than steel springs.
View Leaf SpringPressure Vessel
Our resin technology meets the stringent requirements of composite hydrogen storage vessels, offering high-impact and chemical resistance.
View Pressure Vessel
Our leading composite expertise, broad product range and unique simulation capabilities can reduce development cycles by up to 50 %.
Composite wheels must combine light weight and superior crash resistance. Wheels and rims are cosmetic parts, so composites need to exhibit consistent transparency and color-matching.
There are two types of wheel structures using composites: full monolithic and hybrid. Full-composite wheels start with complex preforms that are injected and molded in one step by RTM or HP-RTM. Preforms can be manufactured using our ARALDITE® preforming binders. The hybrid design uses composite rims assembled on alloy-based spokes.
ARALDITE® resin systems deliver high stiffness and strength. High temperature resistance allows service temperatures up to 180° C. Our newest systems provide higher transparency and enhanced fracture toughness.
ARALDITE® LY 8615 resin / ARADUR® 8615 hardener is a first-generation system with high thermal resistance, designed for production of hybrid and full-composite wheels by RTM and HP-RTM. The system is OEM-qualified, and offers proven performance and reliability from several years of on-road service.
ARALDITE® LY 1560 resin / ARADUR® 917-1 hardener / Accelerator DY 079 is a second-generation system that features increased strength and toughness, plus improved aesthetic properties for the most demanding wheel designs. Adjustable accelerator technology allows cure time to be tailored to a given wheel design.
