Continental Structural Plastics (CSP) announced that the manufacturing of the 2016 Chevrolet Corvette’s body will be the first production use of its advanced composite, TCA Ultra Lite. According to CSP and GM, the use of TCA Ultra Lite, a Class A body panel material, shaved 20 pounds from the new Stingray Coupe model.
“In materials engineering, shaving a single pound per car is a significant accomplishment, so saving 20 pounds per car is monumental,” said Tadge Juechter, Corvette Chief Engineer. “This is a great example of how Chevrolet is continually looking for innovations that improve performance on Corvette, and could benefit possible future applications.”
The automaker saved weight on a total of 21 body panel assemblies, doors, decklids, quarter panels and fenders, were made with the advanced composite. TCA Ultra Lite saves weight by utilizing treated glass bubbles to substitute some amount of Calcium Carbonate filler. The composite is also combined with vacuum and bonding manufacturing processes for aesthetic appeal.
