Toray develops novel analysis technology for multi-material structures incorporating UD tape

Toray Industries Inc. (Tokyo, Japan) has developed a new analysis technology for multi-material structures consisting of both unidirectional (UD) continuous fiber-reinforced tape and injection molding materials. This
breakthrough, says Toray, makes it possible to more precisely predict the properties of parts made up of multiple materials and more swiftly develop high-performance components.

The company looks to supply UD tape, injection molding resins and other materials, as well as structural design, molding support and other services while providing total solutions that incorporate its new technology. Toray says it will leverage the technology to expand the adoption of its materials in the urban air mobility (UAM), electric vehicle (EV) and other advanced mobility fields and in regular industrial sectors, thereby helping manufacturers create lighter, more energy-efficient products.

According to Toray, UD tape’s continuous, unidirectional aligned fibers provide optimal rigidity, strength and enable welding to other thermoplastics, making it ideal for use in injection-molded products. The resulting multi-material structures maximize weight savings while constraining costs. 

The downside to this, however, makes its difficult to accurately analyze strength and impact properties, which is vital for multi-material
structures.

Toray’s novel analysis technology improves 3D TIMON, the 3D injection molding CAE system developed by subsidiary Toray Engineering D solutions Co. Ltd. (Tokyo), accurately reflecting jointing strength between materials and materials fracture behavior. Toray has also created a coupled analysis technology for resin flow and impact properties that factors in the fiber orientiation of injection molding materials. It combines analyses of various
phenomena and calculates their interactions. Together, says, the company, these two developments have resulted in the novel analysis technology offering for accelerating the structural design of multi-material structures.