KEBABLEND / TC optimizes the thermal management of the battery in the Rinspeed MetroSnap

Barlog Plastics develops, produces and supplies novel hybrid materials for the challenges of tomorrow’s mobility. One example is the use of thermally conductive KEBABLEND/TC –compounds for the cell holders of the Rinspeed MetroSnap. The injection-molded material is inherently flame retardant, electrically insulating and thermally conductive, and thus plays a crucial role in optimizing the thermal management of the battery.

Solutions for the mobility of the future

With the MetroSnap, the Swiss think tank Rinspeed demonstrates its idea of the modular mobility system of the future: a simple, fast, safe and inexpensive changing system to solve a large part of the problems and issues of modern mobility. The loading process, for example, takes place elegantly and time-efficiently when the superstructure is loaded. The Swiss innovation drivers call this “hot swap,” the rapid exchange of the superstructures including batteries – and on it goes, almost as fast as a pit stop in racing.

As is generally the case in electromobility, special attention was paid to the batteries in the design of the metroSnap. Cell holders made of KEBABLEND/TC ensure optimized thermal management. Thanks to the tailored property profile – thermally conductive, flame retardant and at the same time electrically insulating – components made of this plastic are predestined for use in battery-powered vehicles.

Injection molding makes e-mobility suitable for large-scale production

Injection molding of engineering plastics and high-performance plastics is a very cost-effective option for large-scale production, but today’s standard materials do not offer the necessary thermal and electrical properties for the increased requirements of networked, autonomous electric vehicles.

Functional integration with thermally conductive KEBABLEND/TC – compounds enables efficient solutions for electric drives, thermal management, electromagnetic shielding and lightweight structures. The material combines four important functions required in batteries in one material that can be processed cost-effectively and quickly on standard injection molding machines – from the first prototype to the fully automated large-scale production process.

BARLOG as development partner

The first battery packs with cell holders made of KEBABLEND/TC were developed in cooperation with the BRS Racing Team, the Formula Student Electric Racing Team of the Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences. During the development, Barlog provided support not only in material development but also in engineering and by producing injection-molded prototypes. After the BRS Racing Team’s batteries proved their performance on the race track, the technology was adapted and further developed for use in the Rinspeed MetroSnap.