Covestro polycarbonate blend revs up electric motorcycle from Alta Motors

PITTSBURGH, Sept. 7, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Alta Motors developed the Alta Pack, a custom, energy-dense battery pack for its Redshift MX and SM electric motorcycles. The Alta Pack stores 5.8 kWH into 31.5 kilograms with a maximum output of 350V. Components of the Alta Pack's housing utilize polycarbonate blend resins from Covestro LLC.

Click to Tweet: #Polycarbonate blends from @CovestroGroup rev up @altamotors electric motorcycles: http://bit.ly/2w3x6mA

The Alta Pack features an aluminum casting with black textured covers injection molded from Makroblend^® UT5207 polycarbonate/polybutylene terephthalate (PC+PBT) blend and Makroblend^® UT403 polycarbonate/polyethylene terephtalate (PC+PET) blend. Makroblend^®  resins offer an unique combination of chemical resistance, impact resistance, durability, ease of processability and the ability to be bonded to a metal substrate.

"We worked with Alta Motors to select materials that would withstand a variety of situations from asphalt to trails, as well as all the bumps and jumps in between. Makroblend^® resins provided the right mix of properties required to help ensure the functionality and safety of the Alta Pack," said Richard Aldrich, business development manager, Southwest region, Polycarbonates, Covestro LLC.

"We wanted a material that could provide structure and tolerate impact without a breach as any opening in the battery could expose high voltage or allow water to get in,"  said Rob Sweney, ?director of advanced powertrain, Alta Motors.

The Alta Pack is exposed to several different kinds of wear and tear: the sun, weather elements, dirt and more. There's also risk of impact from dropping the removable battery or the motorcycle hitting the ground.

"We've been impressed with how resilient the battery has become. It's been able to withstand drops onto concrete, even some hard crashes and rock hits. But even after all this abuse, the battery covers still look brand new. This material's resilience is outstanding," explained Sweney.

The top battery cover features Makroblend^® UT5207 PC+PBT blend, which offers many advantages:

• Enhanced dimensional stability and performance with thread forming screws to protect the electronics mounted inside
• Impact modified forsuperior durability
• UV-stabilized
• Exceptional low-temperature impact strength
• Excellent chemical resistance
• Good flowability and easy release from the mold

• Impact modified for superior durability
• UL746C f1 rated, meaning the material withstands exposure to UV and water, making it appropriate for outdoor use
• UV-stabilized
• Good impact strength, dimensional stability and chemical resistance
• High flow, injection molding grade

In addition, the core of the Redshift subframe features Makroblend^® UT6007 PC+PBT blend for exceptional durability. The material provides:

• Exceptional low-temperature impact strength, good flowability and excellent chemical resistance
• UV-stabilization
• Easy release from the mold

Covestro assisted with material selection and color matching, providing data and samples of materials. Covestro also evaluated the part design and provided technical support to Alta's part suppliers to successfully utilize the material in the molding process. Alta assembles the battery pack from the individual pieces, and assembles the final vehicle from subsystems.

"Our work with Alta Motors demonstrates Covestro's expertise in the electric mobility segment and showcases how our materials are formulated to meet the high demands of this market," said Ignacio Osio, key growth program manager, Polycarbonates, Covestro LLC.

The Redshift comes in two models: the Redshift MX, a trail-ready motocross and Redshift SM, a street-legal supermoto.

Attendees at the Battery Show (www.thebatteryshow.com), Sept. 12-14, Novi, Michigan, can visit Covestro's booth (#1733) for more details about the company's material solutions for electric mobility.

About Covestro LLC:
Covestro LLC is one of the leading producers of high-performance polymers in North America and is part of the global Covestro business, which is among the world's largest polymer companies with 2016 sales of EUR 11.9 billion. Business activities are focused on the manufacture of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, construction, wood processing and furniture, electrical and electronics, and medical industries. Other sectors include sports and leisure, cosmetics and the chemical industry itself. Covestro has 30 production sites worldwide and employed approximately 15,600 people at the end of 2016.

Find more information at www.covestro.us or www.plastics.covestro.com.

About Alta Motors:
Alta Motors is a global leader in lightweight electric vehicles with a proprietary mobility platform that offers new levels of power density and economics. It leads the industry with a complete portfolio of battery and drivetrain components, an existing fleet of lightweight vehicles manufactured at its world-class Brisbane facility and a full customer backlog. Please visit us at: www.altamotors.co

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Covestro AG. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Covestro's public reports which are available at www.covestro.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

Makroblend^® is a registered trademark of Covestro Group.

This press release is available for download from our website. Click here to view all our press releases.

Editor's Note: Follow news from Covestro on Twitter: www.twitter.com/CovestroGroup

CONTACT: John Skabardonis, 412-413-5444, [email protected]

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SOURCE Covestro LLC

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