July has been a great month for showcasing the unique benefits of NTPT's thin ply prepreg in the most challenging of aviation, motorsports and yacht racing applications. Thin Ply Technology® enables the production of extremely durable composite structures combining the lightest possible weight with optimal mechanical properties, key objectives for innovative teams striving to perform at the highest level.
Here are just a few of this month's success stories.
SOLAR IMPULSE 2 MAKES AVIATION HISTORY
Solar Impulse 2 landed in Abu Dhabi on 26th July, marking the successful completion of the world's first round-the-world solar-powered flight.
Décision SA, official supplier of the composite structures for the Solar Impulse team, and NTPT™ collaborated to build the aircraft's parts using NTPT's thin ply carbon fibre prepreg. Thin Ply Technology® enabled the production of extremely lightweight, high performance composites structures which ensured the safety and reliability of the aircraft on its epic 40,000 km journey around the world, powered solely by renewable energy.
Décision was responsible for the production of the main carbon composite structures for both the HB-SIA prototype and the current Solar Impulse 2 aircraft, including the wing's longitudinal beams, the fuselage, vertical and horizontal stabilizers, the engine gondolas and the pilot's cockpit.
PORSCHE WINS 6 HOURS OF NÜRBURGRING
The Porsche Team LMP1 car driven by reigning world champions Mark Webber, Timo Bernhard and Brendon Hartley won the six-hour race at the Nürburgring on 24th July. It was the fourth of nine rounds of the 2016 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). This is the third victory this season for the Porsche 919 Hybrid, following wins at the Silverstone and Le Mans races, and extends Porsche's lead in the manufacturer standings.
The LMP1 cars are interesting applications for NTPT™ due to large areas of bodywork where Thin Ply Technology brings interesting weight saving possibilities. It is also employed for some structural applications on the car.
KEY AMERICA'S CUP CAMPAIGN MILESTONE FOR GROUPAMA TEAM FRANCE
Groupama Team France has launched its AC Test (AC45 Turbo) catamaran – a smaller scale version of the boat that will compete in the 35th America's Cup in Bermuda next year. Built by Multiplast, it employs NTPT™ thin ply carbon fibre prepreg, especially in the wing rib elements. NTPT also supplied some conventional prepreg and its lightweight glue film for this project.
The AC Test yacht is a turbo charged version of the AC45 Class yacht that Groupama Team France raced successfully at the recent America’s Cup World Series Regatta in Portsmouth and will be used to finalise key design details of the team's AC+ (AC50) Class catamaran; planned for launch in late 2016.
PWR RACING TEAM SUCCESS IN FORMULA STUDENT
The PWR Racing Team finished 5th out of 120 teams in the Formula Student (FS) competition held at the Silverstone circuit in the UK on 15-17 July. This is the highest place a Polish team has ever achieved in Formula Student. NTPT's thin ply prepreg is used in the bodywork of the car to provide low weight and high strength.
The PWR Racing car achieved 7th place in the Design event, was the fastest combustion engined car in the Acceleration test, and put in solid performances in the Skid Pad and Sprint challenges. In the final and most demanding challenge, the endurance race, the car experienced no problems and came home in an excellent 4th position. The team is now preparing for the next two rounds of the competition which take place in the Czech Republic and Germany in August.
TPT GOLF™ – A GAME-CHANGING GOLF SHAFT TECHNOLOGY
Using Thin Ply Technology® and a patented manufacturing process, TPT Golf™ shafts exhibit superior performance to the current state of the art. The new shaft is already being adopted by leading players in the golf world and played a key role in two tournament wins this month. NTPT™ is very excited about the potential of this new development. Watch out for more news soon!