General Motors and Japanese carbon fiber and composites supplier Teijin have teamed up in hopes of producing stronger and lighter parts for GM trucks, cars and crossovers.
Under a new contract, Teijin will employ its thermoplastic technology for fast production of carbon fiber composites that could be used on GM vehicles. Teijin’s contribution will be its ability to mass produce carbon fiber thermoplastic components with cycle times of under a minute. For Teijin, the deal could widen its business beyond specialty and high-end automotive carbon fiber applications.
“Our relationship with Teijin provides the opportunity to revolutionize the way carbon fiber is used in the automotive industry,” GM vice chairman Steve Girsky said in a statement. “This technology holds the potential to be an industry game changer and demonstrates GM’s long-standing commitment to innovation.”
Teijin will open its Teijin Composites Application Center in the northern U.S. early next year, GM said.
Carbon fiber is 10 times stronger than regular-grade steel, but only one fourth the weight. Carbon fiber composites used as automobile components are expected to dramatically reduce vehicle weight, GM said.
