The scientific article on the results of the CARBOBRAKE project chosen by Polymer Composites journal as the highlight of the month

The CARBOBRAKE project (M-era.net), is focused on the development of a Thick-walled Carbon Fiber Reinforced Brake Caliper for High Performance Automotive Applications. The research team is composed by academic and industrial partners of three European countries: GD Tech, MSC Software Belgium S.A. and Université Liège from Belgium; IPoint Austria, Graz University Technology, JKU linz IPPE and Hinsteiner Group from Austria; and, Fagor Arrasate S. Coop., Ruimoldes 2012 S.L. and Leartiker S. Coop., from Spain.

The aim of the project is to develop a motorbike brake caliper manufactured by compression molding of Sheet Molding Compounds (SMC). For this, research activities are being conducted to define adapted eco-design principles, to better understand the thermomechanical behavior of SMC materials, to improve the compression molding process of SMCs, and to generate more accurate LCA measurements for polymeric composite material parts.

In this context, Leartiker, in collaboration with the rest of the partners of the consortium, published some of the obtained scientific outcomes in the paper Advancing on viscosity characterization and modeling of SMC for compression molding simulation in the Polymer Composites (Wiley) journal. This publication, has recently been selected by the journal’s Editor as “September 2023 Editor’s Choice”, increasing, this way, the dissemination of the project results.

The publication deals with the characterization and modeling of the rheological properties of SMC materials to improve the process simulation results.

The CARBOBRAKE project started in March 2021 and will come to an end in early 2024. Throughout these years we have worked hard to achieve the objectives set and this publication endorses the great work done and helps us to disseminate the results obtained.