TECHNOLOGY

www.reinforcedplastics.com 21REINFORCEDplastics MAY/JUNE 2012

Electric race car employs ‘green’ composites

THE LOLA-DRAYSON B12/69EV

prototype electric race car

employs recycled composites

and fl ax reinforced composites.

The car aims to demonstrate

the potential of sustainable

‘green’ technologies in the

motorsport industry. It was

jointly developed by Lola Group

and Drayson Racing Technolo-

gies and will take part in the

FIA Formula E World Champion-

ship Series for electric race cars

in 2013. Lola’s use of recycled

composite materials an R&D

programme involving Umeco,

WMG at the University of

Warwick, and ELG Carbon Fibre

Ltd. Carbon fi bres from out of life

Umeco MTM®49 epoxy prepreg

were reclaimed by ELG and then

re-impregnated with Umeco’s

MTM49 epoxy resin. Tests

showed minimal loss of strength

and similar fi bre stiff ness to virgin

prepreg. Lola has manufactured

parts for the B12/69EV using this

product.

The application of fl ax-reinforced

composites is the result of a R&D

programme involving Umeco,

WMG and Composites Evolution

Ltd. WMG carried out extensive

research and testing, Composites

Evolution supplied the woven

fl ax material, and Umeco

impregnated the material with its

MTM28 and MTM49 toughened

epoxy resins. Lola has produced a

range of parts for the B12/69EV

using MTM28/Biotex Flax and

MTM49/Biotex Flax.

Drayson; www.drayson-

racingtechnologies.com

Umeco; www.umeco.com

Use of composites under the engine cover of the Lola-Drayson B12/69EV. (Picture © Lola Cars International Ltd.)

METYX invests

in kitting

METYX COMPOSITES has

announced a big investment in

the core material and fabric

kitting business with the creation

of the METYX Composites Kitting

Centre (MCKC) at its new facility

in Manisa, Turkey.

The Kitting Centre will serve

METYX wind energy and marine

customers, as well as other large

industrial clients within Turkey

and the European Union.

The initial investment in this

business unit totals €1.4 million

in machinery and equipment.

METYX; www.metyx.com

PVC foam being machined in MCKC’s 3 Axis Router.