Improving Performance, Stiffness and Emissions
SikaReinforcer® (SR) is a heat-reactive and foamable epoxy material. It is highly effective for crash reinforcing and reinforcing cavities when combined with our SikaStructure® carrier. It also has sustainability benefits, reducing carbon emissions during manufacture and throughout a vehicle’s lifetime.
Using SikaReinforcer® decreases the required thickness of sheet metal and makes steel reinforcement plates unnecessary, reducing vehicle weight. As well as lower emissions, a lower vehicle weight can limit vibrations, noise, and fatigue cracks, improving performance and increasing longevity.
Weight Savings Carbon Reduction Trough SR Technology
An analysis of the potential Global Warming Potential benefits (GWP) of SikaReinforcer® technology vs steel demonstrated that the weight savings achieved lead to lower fuel consumption. GWP measures a product’s potential climate change contribution, focusing on greenhouse emissions, such as carbon dioxide.
As SikaReinforcer® does not require welding, unlike the steel alternative, the analysis also considered the installation of components. The combined carbon footprint of raw materials and welding was 5 kg for steel and 2 kg for SikaReinforcer®.
In terms of GWP, the total gains from the weight reduction during the use phase more than outweigh the carbon emissions from the SR component. The net gain from the Sika solution compared to the steel solution amounts to 19 kg CO₂ per vehicle.