DETROIT, April 11 /PRNewswire/ -- As a gold sponsor of this year's Formula
SAE, Henkel is supporting several university teams, providing real world
experience for future automotive innovators, as well as gaining feedback on
the original use of the company's products.
    The goal of this competition is to develop high-performance prototype cars
that are cost effective, easy to maintain and reliable.  In addition, the cars
should be enhanced by other factors such as aesthetics, comfort and use of
common parts.  As a sponsor, Henkel not only offers quality materials, but
also provides technical advice and product input as the teams design and
assemble cars for the May 18-22, 2005 competition.
    Further increasing its support and participation in the event, Henkel is
sponsoring a cash award for the most creative use of its Terocore(R)
structural foam.  The machinable nature of Terocore allows teams to use the
foam as both a reinforcement and precisely tailored part.  Students are
encouraged to use Terocore in the initial vehicle design, rather than to make
improvements after the vehicle is built.  For example, the 2004 University of
Utah Formula SAE team used Terocore as a support material between the
suspension system and chassis, ensuring a stronger body and preventing flexing
in high-speed turns.
    "We are proud to help mentor the next generation of engineers," said
Matthias Hofmann, vice president, marketing and business development, Henkel.
"The Formula SAE competition provides students with hands-on experience,
enabling them to develop the knowledge and expertise necessary to succeed in
the automotive industry."
    In addition to providing product samples and technical support, Henkel
gains valuable benefits from the program.  Henkel establishes strong
relationships with Formula SAE students on the brink of their careers.  And,
future automotive innovators also test existing sealants, materials and
adhesives under gruelling Formula One race conditions and provide honest
feedback and valuable insight into future product needs.
    "Henkel introduced and explained various applications and uses of its
products," said Sumeet Yerunkar, assistant captain and president of Wayne
State University Formula SAE team.  "By using these products we were able to
reduce the weight of the car while maintaining stiffness, drastically
improving performance."
    Aside from the technical expertise students gain by asking questions,
teams receive industry leading materials from Henkel including:

    *  Terocore 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
work life, allowing teams to properly position a component before the adhesive
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 enables
easy removal of molded parts after they have cured.  Frekote can release
anything from simple rubber to intricate, polymer composite parts.  Formula
SAE teams can design advanced structural parts with confidence, knowing their
hand-made components will separate from the mold.
    *  Loctite(R) threadlockers:  Applied to a bolt prior to assembly,
threadlockers prevent loosening under vibration or losing clamp load over
time.

    Teams are encouraged to use these materials in unconventional ways, going
beyond traditional applications.
    Formula SAE is a competition for SAE student members to conceive, design,
fabricate and compete with small formula-style racing cars.  The restrictions
on the car frame and engine are limited so that knowledge, creativity and
imagination of the students are challenged.  The cars are built with a team
effort over a period of about one year and are taken to the annual competition
for judging and comparison with approximately 120 other vehicles from colleges
and universities throughout the world.  The end result is a great experience
for young engineers in a meaningful engineering project as well as the
opportunity of working in a dedicated team effort.
    Henkel is the market leader in adhesives, sealants and surface treatments
to the transportation industry.  Backed by extensive design capabilities, a
broad product range, specific application knowledge and technical expertise,
the company delivers solutions to all segments of automotive development --
automotive body, interior, chassis, electronics and powertrain production.
Through powerful brands like Autophoretic(R), Bonderite(R), Frekote(R),
Loctite(R) and Multan(TM), Henkel provides significant economic and
environmental advantages for today's vehicles, making them safer, more
comfortable and extending vehicle value.
    The Henkel Group operates in three strategic business areas: Home Care;
Personal Care; and Adhesives, Sealants and Surface Treatments.  The automotive
group is an integral part of the Adhesives, Sealants and Surface Treatments
business sector, which also serves the transportation, electronics, aerospace,
metal, durable goods, consumer goods, maintenance and repair and packaging
industries, and offers a broad range of products for the craftsman and
consumer.  With brands and advanced technologies, Henkel makes people's lives
easier, better, and more beautiful.  50,000 employees work for the Henkel
Group worldwide.  People in 125 countries around the world trust in brands and
technologies from Henkel -- "A Brand like a Friend."

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