Finnish composites manufacturer Exel Composites has signed a new project with Chinese carmaker Foton Bus Co., Ltd. to supply pultruded fiberglass composite profiles.

Under the agreement, fiberglass profiles will be produced locally in China. This will reduce vehicle maintenance requirements and weight due to the corrosion-resistant and lightweight properties of composite materials. Additionally, the flexibility in geometric design of composites offers greater possibilities for structural engineering than traditional metals such as steel and aluminum.

It is reported that Exel Composites will produce a series of structural composite profiles for many different models of buses. The profiles include fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) side panels, skirts and false roof, manufactured using fiberglass composite pultrusion technology. These profiles have higher tensile strength and durability while being 30% less dense than traditional aluminum profiles.

Decades of improvements to the pultrusion production process allow Exel to produce profiles with complex geometries that are as strong as traditional aluminum while being significantly lighter. At the same time, the finished profile has a smooth surface and requires no further processing.

Composite profiles used in buses are different from aluminum profiles, which are limited to 0.3 meters in width and require multiple connectors to install larger panels. The company's composite profiles can be up to 1.2 meters wide and in lengths Up to 12 meters. This ensures structural integrity and solidity.