Vycom Donates Fire-Resistant Material to University of Idaho Vandals Hybrid Formula Racing Program
SCRANTON, Pa., Sept. 28, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Vycom recently donated its high-performance, fire-resistant Vintec Type 1 PVC sheet material to the University of Idaho's Vandals Hybrid Formula Racing Program, which fields an intercollegiate team that is literally on the fast track. Unlike the Vandals sports teams, this team of electrical and mechanical engineering students, also known as Voltz N' Boltz, design and build hybrid race cars. In order to compete and win, the members of the team rely on high performance materials like Vintec to help them meet the strict guidelines of the competition.
The team competes every year against other collegiate teams at the Formula Hybrid Society of Automotive Engineering (FHSAE) competition held in Loudon, New Hampshire. The Vandals are international champions of the Hybrid class, among other awards.
Coye Johnson, a senior at the University of Idaho studying mechanical engineering has been working on the high voltage system for the cars for the past year. "We designed a high voltage box on a 3D CAD software design program," said Johnson. He said the battery cells in the voltage box give off heat and hydrogen, which is vented from the engine compartment with a fan. "I researched many different materials and found that Vycom's Vintec had the heat, flame and chemical resistance we needed."
Vintec Type I is a PVC sheet with high heat, corrosion resistance and the strength and stiffness for the toughest applications. It can be machined, cut, welded and glued for fabrication versatility. "We cut the material on a CNC router and easily mill it for more accurate measurements in fabrication," said Johnson. "For the fan intake, we use a false wall to create a u-shape, which prevents liquids from getting into the compartment."
Designed for fun and competition, the program gives students real world skills. Johnson already has a job lined up with an international firm that develops superconductors. "In hybrid racing, we are learning about materials and practices used in the engineering industries—and are challenged by real-life situations. It's a great experience."
To learn more about Vandals Hybrid Formula Racing, visit www.uidaho.edu/engr.
For information about Vycom, visit www.vycomplastics.com.
About Vycom:
Vycom, a division of CPG International, maintains an environment where quality meets performance, with the largest range of products, capabilities and inventory for all your Olefin and PVC needs. For more information, visit http://www.vycomplastics.com.
SOURCE Vycom
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