Fras-le Introduces a New Product Line in Composite Materials, Items up to 65% Lighter

Fras-le introduces a new product line, Fras-le Smart Composites will work with composite materials for the production of auto parts. The use of this technology appears as an alternative to items originally made of steel and will result in better performance. The design innovative and weight reduction of up to 65%, reduces fuel consumption and consequently reduces pollutant emissions.

Fras-le Smart Composites will be one of the first creators of the part production in structural composite materials in the Brazilian road market. In the first project, the unit will conduct the manufacture of mud flaps to support semi-trailers. "With this movement, the company follows the direction of technological megatrends in the mobility sector and aligns its portfolio to the public sustainability commitments signed with a focus on ESG," says the COO of Randon Companies and CEO Fras-le, Sérgio L. Carvalho.

The anticipation is that, by October, 40% of the semi-trailers produced by Randon Implementos will leave the factory equipped with Fras-le’s new line. Semi-rods made of composite material are classified in both heavy and light duty versions and have weight reductions between 60% and 65%, compared to the original steel parts. In addition to weight reduction, the new components have undergone rigorous durability tests, and have superior performance versus steel, either statically or dynamically. Through simplified drilling, semi-rods in composites facilitate the assembly process, do not require painting and do not suffer corrosive effects. 

The goal is to market the product and technology with other partners in the automotive market. "Once technically enabled, the design of new products reacts in the market, allowing a rapid expansion within the automotive industry. The appeal in mass reduction, in a competitive and sustainable way, has been leveraging great market interest. New developments are possible in relatively short periods, working with the Randon Technological Center (CTR) to accelerate the validation process", explains The General Director of Fras-le, Anderson Pontalti. 

These are the first products of enabled productive technology. During the coming months, new production technologies in composite materials will continue expanding to new components and markets.

How Smart Composites Came About
The qualification of this new manufacturing technology with the use of composite materials began in 2018, through the innovation of products and research developments at the Hercílio Randon Institute (IHR), with the support of the Randon Technological Center (CTR). The plan took over three years and in the first few months of 2021, it began the structure of the industrial part. The Fras-le Smart Composites product line is established within the Fras-le industrial complex in Caxias do Sul (RS).