Construction Solutions

Composite Innovations by BASF

Driving innovation through chemistry

Whether it's advanced materials for thermoplastics and thermosets, composite design expertise as well as parts and tooling support, BASF continues to drive innovation through chemistry across various industries such as automotive, aerospace, industrial manufacturing, consumer and construction.

Contact us

If you want to connect with one of our experts, please contact us for Acrodur at dpsolutions@basf.com; all other products contact techquestions.na@basf.com.

Mit dem Polyurethan-Schaumsystem Elastoflex® E von BASF ist es erstmals gelungen, ein Autoaußenbauteil in Sandwich-Wabentechnik mit Class-A-Folie in Großserie herzustellen. Das Dachmodul im Standardmodell des neuen smart fortwo besteht aus einer Papierwabe und zwei umschließenden Glasfasermatten, die mit Elastoflex® E 3532 besprüht und mit einer durchgefärbten Class-A-Oberflächenfolie verpresst werden. In einem einzigen Arbeitsschritt entsteht so ein Dachmodul, das um 30 Prozent leichter ist als das Seriendach des Vorgängermodells.
Photo: Daimler/BASF 2015

With the polyurethane foam system Elastoflex® E from BASF it is possible for the first time to mass-produce an exterior car part featuring a honeycomb sandwich structure with a class-A film. The roof module in the standard model of the new smart fortwo consists of a paper honeycomb and two surrounding glass fiber mats. These are sprayed with Elastoflex® E 3532 and pressed together with a solid-colored class-A film. A single operation thus produces a roof module which is around 30 percent lighter than the standard roof on the previous model. 
Photo: Daimler/BASF 2015,Mit dem Polyurethan-Schaumsystem Elastoflex® E von BASF ist es erstmals gelungen, ein Autoaußenbauteil in Sandwich-Wabentechnik mit Class-A-Folie in Großserie herzustellen. Das Dachmodul im Standardmodell des neuen smart fortwo besteht aus einer Papierwabe und zwei umschließenden Glasfasermatten, die mit Elastoflex® E 3532 besprüht und mit einer durchgefärbten Class-A-Oberflächenfolie verpresst werden. In einem einzigen Arbeitsschritt entsteht so ein Dachmodul, das um 30 Prozent leichter ist als das Seriendach des Vorgängermodells.
Photo: Daimler/BASF 2015

With the polyurethane foam system Elastoflex® E from BASF it is possible for the first time to mass-produce an exterior car part featuring a honeycomb sandwich structure with a class-A film. The roof module in the standard model of the new smart fortwo consists of a paper honeycomb and two surrounding glass fiber mats. These are sprayed with Elastoflex® E 3532 and pressed together with a solid-colored class-A film. A single operation thus produces a roof module which is around 30 percent lighter than the standard roof on the previous model. 
Photo: Daimler/BASF 2015
Honeycomb Structure is the Bee’s-Knees for Automotive Lightweighting
The honeycomb design found in the insect world is making its way into the auto industry, beating out man-made blow molded polypropylene in terms of strength and weight.
Plant-based weight loss tips for interior composite panels
Car manufacturers are in a race to the bottom of the scale. To help them get there, we're talking about a new technology that makes one lightweighting trend way more effective.

Technology Spotlight: Ultrasim computer aided engineering

Material expertise is important but so is the ability to combine that expertise with computer aided engineering.  BASF utilizes a proprietary software called ULTRASIM, which can routinely provide 90 – 95 percent accuracy when characterizing materials and their expected performance.

Unlike other finite element modeling tools, this technology will help eliminate “do-overs,” saving product development time, money and materials. Ultimately, this technology gives you more peace of mind and confidence in the final product to move forward with a lightweight thermoplastic part.

3 New Ways Advanced Composite Materials Are Light Weighting Today’s Cars
Check out three ways BASF’s Ultramid® polyamides were used to replace heavier materials and ensure the quality of standard for these premium brands.
Natural fiber composites gaining traction in automotive

Featured story from Composites World

New water-borne, wet-application acrylic resin enables new opportunities in car interiors.

BASF’s Composite Expertise Means Metal Sits Out for Lincoln Continental Seat
BASF contributed to a 20 percent weight reduction for the seat pan when compared to its metal predecessor.
Mustang Lightens Its Grille with New Carbon Fiber Composite
Ford Performance wanted to showcase innovation on the 2016 Ford Shelby GT350 Mustang by creating a grille opening reinforcement made of carbon fiber.