Smart textiles and advanced composites TENCATE MATERIALIZED

adVanced cOmPOSiteS
SOlar team twente 2009
liGHtweiGHt Structure
For the solar car 2009, TenCate has offered the team a wide range
of space and aerospace composites. These are produced by
TenCate Advanced Composites in Nijverdal, The Netherlands.
TenCate supplied both TenCate Cetex ® RTL thermoplastic glass
reinforced carbon laminates, as high-end core thermoplastic
materials – as used in TenCate Cetex ® System3 - for the production
of lightweight structural parts of the solar car.
In addition, carbon, glass and aramide texture is supplied for both
the curves of the solar car and for its structure. With its
sponsorship material TenCate strives for a substantial reduction of
the weight of the solar car of Solar Team Twente without affecting
the overall strength of the vehicle.
The frame of this solar car is 5 kilograms lighter. This is a weight
savings of 29.4 percent. The frame now only weighs 12 kilograms.
Another advantage of composite material is that it’s easy to finish,
making the surface of the vehicle smoother and more aerodynamic.
The total air-resistance of the solar car is 25 percent lower due to
the new design, the good finished surface and thanks to the flexible
body structure.
The main innovation in the solar car 2009 is the flexible, pivoting
body structure which connects the wing of the car to the frame.
This body structure is made of a thermoplastic elastomer which the
team uses to optimize the aerodynamic properties.
The solar car of Solar Team Twente distinguishes itself thanks to
the large amount of energy that is achieved by the tilting wing. The
wing moves with the sun, so that sunrays fall directly onto the solar
cells. This, together with the patented lens system, focuses solar
energy onto the underlying solar cells. Thus enabling the team to
generate 7.5 m2 of sunlight from 6 m2 of solar cells. This approach in
fact works like a magnifying glass.
4 SMART TEXTILES AND ADVANCED COMPOSITES
SMART TEXTILES AND ADVANCED COMPOSITES 5