Germany – ContiTech Vibration Control and BASF say they have developed the world’s first plastic transmission crossbeam for a rear axle subframe. It is being used on the S-class Mercedes-Benz and is made from the engineering plastic Ultramid A3WG10 CR, a special polyamide from BASF which is reinforced and optimised to withstand high mechanical loads.
It’s claimed this component offers a weight saving of 25%, better acoustics as well as excellent mechanical properties even at high temperatures, compared to the previous beam made from die-cast aluminium.