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Safety in automotive construction: Invisible, yet indispensable
If you were to ask buyers of new cars about the criteria behind their choice, "enjoyable driving" and "comfort" would be at the top of the list. But today passenger and pedestrian safety is an increasingly important factor when choosing a car. Added to this are legal requirements that oblige automotive manufacturers to equip vehicles with a wide range of safety elements. As a leading producer of raw materials, Bayer MaterialScience was quick to respond. "Energy absorbers are our answer to these requirements. They are the result of intensive discussions with customers from the automotive industry," says Klaus-W. Huland, head of the Baysafe EA team.
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| Today bumpers are developed by computer using a virtual design. |
Baysafe EA is a polyurethane foam with energy absorbing (EA) properties. For vehicle exteriors, the material is mainly utilized in high-performance bumpers. In vehicle interiors, it is used for engineering components that protect passengers.
The semi-rigid construction material can be tailored during production to customers' precise needs. Huland and his team are renowned for their commitment to putting the requirements of their partners from the automotive industry and their suppliers first. For the Bayer MaterialScience polyurethane experts, everything ultimately revolves around a plastic based on a structure comprising open and closed cells. In the event of a crash, these cells absorb the energy resulting from the force of the impact. Polyurethane bumpers and interior safety components reduce the sudden compressive load which the pedestrian or passenger would otherwise be exposed to during a collision. Huland explains what happens: "The energy is absorbed in three ways – through elastic deformation of the cells, gas exchange in the cells and the fracture of the cell walls."
The fact that the foam can also be completely destroyed has also been factored into the equation. Huland says: "Energy is also destroyed in this process, meaning it can no longer harm vehicle occupants or pedestrians. This is exactly the sort of safety we want to offer our customers with our products."
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