Electric vehicle battery materials launched by Huntsman

Stuttgart, Germany – Huntsman this week introduced new polyurethane, carbon nanotube, and epoxy materials at The Battery Show at Messe Dusseldorf, aimed at improving the integration, protection, and performance of batteries in electric vehicles.

The company's portfolio includes customisable, quick-cure, high-strength PU and epoxy resins which, the company claims, enable the production of battery protection components up to 30% faster than existing technologies. These materials also offer reduced weight, increased strength, and improved structural performance.

Huntsman offers its Rimline WCM system for underbody battery protection. It is a low viscosity liquid resin which the company claims enables the moulding of high fibre volume fraction composites under low pressure, giving long working life and short cure time with easy mould release. This system is formulated for use on high pressure-mix machines.

For battery enclosures, Huntsman offers OEM-qualified Araldite FST resins that allow for the design of flame-retardant composite parts.

For battery underfloor protection, Huntsman has developed three products. Firstly: Rimline FC (foam core) system, which the company says can offer a cost-effective solution for manufacturing lightweight sandwich composites with complex geometries and fast cycle times. Secondly: Rimline LFI (long fibre injection) resin system, which the company says can be moulded into strong stiff parts with a density of – for example – 1100 kg/m3 including 30% glass fibre reinforcement. And, thirdly: its proven Araldite 3031 / 3032 WCM system for fast processing cure time and mechanical stiffness.

For top cover applications, Huntsman’s Vitrox WCM system enables the development of composite lid structures that can help achieve thermal resistance while reducing weight compared to metallic cover alternatives; while it claims its Araldite SMC solutions enable design freedom for semi-structural parts.

The company has also developed a range of materials for the EV battery cell itself. Its Shokless encapsulation foam and elastomer systems help to create potting foams and encapsulants that are mechanically strong and have the thermal insulation and vibration dampening properties needed to protect batteries at a cell, module, and pack level.

Arathane thermally conductive adhesives and encapsulants provide mechanical fixation and thermal connection, enabling heat management from the cells and enabling new battery pack designs and higher performance batteries. And For battery cell producers looking to increase the capacity of their cells or interested in reduction of the weight of their cells, Huntsman has introduced Miralon NMP Dispersions and Miralon Current Collectors. The Miralon NMP Dispersions for LFP and high-nickel cathodes offer high conductivity with a lower concentration than carbon black and are rate performance-compatible with fast charging protocols. Miralon Current Collectors for ultra-lightweight applications can replace heavier metallic current collectors.

Irina Bolshakova, global strategic marketing lead for automotive polyurethanes at Huntsman, said: “As demand for electric vehicles grows, we’re continually innovating, making it easier than ever for battery manufacturers, automotive OEMs and their suppliers to make new gains in powertrain performance. We’re excited to share details of our new systems at The Battery Show and discuss the latest challenges with customers face-to-face.”