Ford Motor Company and composite manufacturer DowAska have announced a partnership to provide the U.S.-based automaker with low-cost carbon fiber, which will allow Ford to utilize the material in a variety of lower-tier models.
When it comes to cars, every pound saved translates directly into benefits for the end user, including higher fuel economy, better handling and quicker acceleration. That’s why carbon fiber is so nice – its high strength makes it a viable replacement for heavy metals, while its low weight improves just about every practical aspect you can think of. There was always one problem, though – price. Making a composite material like carbon fiber is an expensive endeavor, which is why it’s usually reserved for high-end sports cars. This new partnership, however, could help change that when it comes to Ford’s product lineup.
“Automotive manufacturers’ use of carbon fiber composites has been hindered by the absence of both high-volume manufacturing methods and affordable material formats,” said Mehmet Ali Berkman, Vice Chairman at DowAska. “This partnership combines the individual strengths of each company to target these challenges.”
When it comes to blue oval carbon-fiber use, the lightweight, mid-engine Ford GT supercar is the only one with extensive use of the material, to date.
Continue reading to learn more about Ford’s latest joint venture.
Ford Teams With DowAksa To Develop Low-Cost Carbon Fiber originally appeared on topspeed.com on Sunday, 19 April 2015 14:00 EST.
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