MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich., March 8 /PRNewswire/ - Henkel Technologies is
creating real-world automotive experiences for over 10 university engineering
design teams -- as well as gaining testing feedback for its next generation
products -- as a sponsor of this year's Formula SAE competition.
    Increasing its support this year, Henkel Technologies is launching the
"Best Use of Polymeric Structural Foam" award for the most innovative and
effective use of epoxy structural foam, in addition to playing key roles as an
event and individual team sponsor.
    "We are proud to increase our support of Formula SAE to help mentor the
next generation of engineers," said Chuck Evans, vice president, automotive
components group, Henkel Technologies.  "The competition provides students an
opportunity to push their knowledge and abilities to the limit, something we
do with our products and services every day."
    In addition to the significant support it delivers, Henkel Technologies
gains valuable benefits from the program.  The company begins its long-term
relationship with future automotive innovators as they test existing
adhesives, sealants and surface treatments, under grueling Formula SAE race
conditions and provide honest feedback and valuable insight into future
product needs.
    "Lessons learned during Formula SAE go far beyond anything we learn in the
classroom.  It puts our theories and ideas to the test in real-world
applications," said Joe Hardy, a senior from the University of Utah Formula
SAE team.  "This opportunity builds a deeper understanding of the industry and
the problem-solving skills necessary to meet daily challenges."
    Aside from the technical expertise students gain through asking questions
on an e-mail listserv, teams receive industry-leading materials from Henkel
Technologies including:

    *  Terocore(R) structural foam:  Filling vehicle cavities with structural
foam improves structural strength and rigidity, which improves handling and
increases safety by enhancing energy absorption in crashes.  Terocore also
helps reduce noise, vibration and harshness by blocking and absorbing sounds
that pass throughout the vehicle body.
    *  Hysol(R) E-120HP epoxy adhesive:  Originally designed for bonding nose
cones in aerospace applications, this adhesive delivers outstanding results in
bonding composite-to-metal or metal-to-metal joints.  It delivers a 12-minute
worklife, allowing teams to properly position a component before the glue
sets.  The adhesive also cures at room temperature, eliminating oven-bake time
and expense.  Under extreme testing performed by the University of Utah
Formula SAE team, the bond using E-120HP proved stronger than metal by
maintaining its hold even after the metal tube broke.
    *  Frekote(R) mold release:  Applying Frekote to a tooling surface allows
the easy removal of molded parts after they have cured.  Frekote can release
anything from simple rubber parts to intricate, polymer composite parts.
Formula SAE teams can design advanced structural parts with confidence,
knowing their hand-made parts will separate from the mold.
    *  Loctite(R) threadlockers:  Applied to a bolt prior to assembly,
threadlockers prevent bolts from loosening under vibration or losing clamp
load over time.  Nearly every sponsored team requests the ubiquitous red and
blue bottles of Loctite threadlocker in their product sponsorship package.

    Teams often use these materials in unconventional ways, going beyond
traditional applications.  The University of Utah Formula SAE team used
Terocore as a supporting material between the suspension system and the
chassis, ensuring a stronger body and preventing flexing in high-speed turns.
The machinable nature of the product enabled the team to use the foam both as
a mold and component material.
    Formula SAE is a competition of university teams designing and creating
small, working formula-style racecars.  Restrictions are placed on the cars to
inspire creativity and innovation among the teams who have a period of
approximately one year to complete the vehicle.  The vehicles are then taken
to a host institution where they are judged in three categories: static
inspection and engineering design, solo performance trails and high
performance track endurance.
    For a first-hand look at new innovations from Henkel Technologies, please
stop by booth 927 at the SAE 2004 World Congress in Detroit, March 8-11.

    "Henkel - A Brand like a Friend."
    With brands and advanced technologies, Henkel makes people's lives easier,
better, and more beautiful.  The Henkel Technologies division is one of the
leading suppliers of adhesives, sealants and surface treatments for industrial
customers.  Strong brands, such as Loctite, Teroson, P3, Hysol and Liofol, are
key drivers behind the success of the business division.  Henkel Technologies
serves the automotive, electronics, aerospace, metal industries, assembly,
maintenance and repair, consumer goods and packaging industries worldwide.
    The Henkel Group operates in three strategic business areas -- Home Care,
Personal Care, and Adhesives, Sealants and Surface Treatment.  In fiscal 2003
the Henkel Group generated sales of 9.44 billion euros and an operating profit
(EBIT) of 706 million euros.  50,000 employees work for the Henkel Group
worldwide.  People in 126 countries around the world trust in brands and
technologies from Henkel.

Link to this page: