BMW is extensively using carbon fiber-reinforced plastic in their i-series EVs and this encourages the recycling ways of unused material.
BMW’s i3 and the hybrid i8 were the first mass production vehicles in this series with a carbon fiber-thorough construction.
With the growth of carbon fiber market, cost reduction has to be managed, which demand reclaiming and reusing of the leftover portions.
Munich, the German based automaker’s CF recycling efforts are behind this green achievement of BMW i series vehicles.
The application of carbon fiber is well understood. The challenge is to industrialize that and make it economic, commented, Franz Storkenmaier, head, lightweight construction and vehicle weight, BMW.
BMW uses recycled CF in the epoxide resin-based CF reinforced plastic roof of the i3 and i8, as well as the i3’s rear seat shell, which is molded with non-woven recycled CF and polyurethane.
SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers (SGL ACF), a joint venture between BMW and SGL produce the carbon fiber material for BMW.
SGL ACF described its recycled CF yarns as stretch-broken having special properties like high tensile strength and low yarn count, which makes them suitable for processing into textile fabrics.
CF non-woven fleeces were developed together with the TITK Thuringia institute for textile and plastics research, based in Rudolstadt, Germany over a three-year period.