article in wikipedia!Lightweight Technology[edit]BAC is known...

article in wikipedia!

Lightweight Technology[edit]

BAC is known for being industry front-runners for lightweight technology, and for being pioneers in its research and development work into the use of graphene.

Using revolutionary material graphene within carbon fibre enhances the structural properties of carbon to result in less sheets being needed to meet functional performance targets. With BAC Mono and Mono R panels, the addition of graphene ensured panels required two sheets of carbon fibre, rather than three.

Overall, a panel set that weighed 41kg before the use of graphene went on to measure just 32kg – a 9kg / 22% weight saving.

In 2020, BAC was awarded UK Government funding to undertake its latest nano element R&D project – exploring the use of 'Niobium' in the structure of BAC Mono.

A soft metal, Niobium is a naturally occurring, readily available, sustainable element that is ductile, malleable and highly resistant to corrosion. It effectively enhances the mechanical properties (elongation, yield and tensile strength) of alloy metals and has therefore been used in a wide range of applications in the aerospace, architecture and energy sectors.

For BAC, Niobium will enhance the properties of the alloys used in the chassis and suspension systems of the Mono supercar. Using Niobium-enhanced alloys will mean less material will be needed to meet structural targets – once again resulting in lighter weight.

The project is sponsored by CBMM, the world leader in the production and commercialisation of Niobium products, who are exploring the use of the element in the niche supercar sector for the first time through Mono.^[17]