Porsche develops TABASKO method for lightweight vehicle series production
Patented carbon fiber-reinforced polypropylene tape-based process supports cost reduction, light weight and thinner walls without sacrificing rigidity.
To test the properties of TABASKO, Porsche used the material to build a luggage tray. The tapes are placed in the component as upper and lower belts in alternation, meaning that they form a virtual sandwich. The spacing in the peripheral positions enables high flexural rigidity with minimal use of tape. Source (All Images) | © Porsche Engineering
Close cooperation between Porsche Engineering (Weissach, Germany) and Porsche AG’s (Stuttgart) material experts has resulted in the development of TABASKO, a patented tape-based carbon fiber construction method that can create composite components that combine maximum strength and minimum weight while also making use of post-consumer recycled materials, all in a series production process — thus supporting more sustainable automotive construction.
The goal behind TABASKO (coming from German for “tape-based carbon-fiber lightweight construction”) was to achieve better material properties at a reduced weight and cost. Currently, many Porsche vehicle components are made of glass fiber-reinforced polypropylene (PP) called PP-GFx. Porsche wanted to consider the use of carbon fiber — however, carbon fiber is still a considerably expensive material. Therefore, they had the idea of reinforcing PP with strategically placed carbon fiber tapes, using less material (and thus reduced cost) and achieving thinner walls, all without sacrificing rigidity.
