SGL Carbon to Produce Composite Battery Enclosures for BMW

SGL Carbon has announced an agreement with BMW Group to produce a cover component for battery enclosures in series. The new deal will include the production of a glass-fibre-based cover plate for the battery housing for usage in a future plug-in hybrid model of BMW Group.

Materials made of composites are suited for battery enclosures for different reasons: Besides their lightweight, which enhances the electric vehicle’s range, fibre-reinforced plastics offer high stiffness. In addition, they meet high requirements for water and gas tightness and feature excellent fire protection properties. Composite materials can also help to achieve improved structural stiffness of the underbody, e.g. to protect against penetration, as well as optimised thermal management. Carbon fibres are ideal for especially stressed structures or load-bearing elements, such as the underbody panels and side frames. For components subjected to less stress, such as battery box covers, glass fibres or a fibre mix may suffice.

In addition to the new application for the hybrid model battery enclosure, SGL Carbon will continue producing the usual components made of carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic for the BMW i3 and delivering materials for the Carbon Core body of the BMW 7 series and has been nominated as the supplier for all carbon materials – fibres, textiles, stacks – for the BMW iNEXT, set to be launched in 2021.

Over the years SGL has supplied a number of automotive manufacturers with carbon materials and composite components, from sports car parts to large-scale deliveries of leaf springs and structural components.