MIDLAND, Mich.—Dow Automotive Systems' Betaforce-branded composite bonding adhesives have been named to the 2016 R&D 100 list of most significant innovations of the year.
Dow said this is the third-straight year its Automotive Systems unit has had a product named to the winners list. A total of seven Dow Chemical Co. products were named to the 2016 R&D 100 list and 20 Dow products have won in the past three years.
Betaforce is a two-component polyurethane adhesives, used for structural bonding in heat accelerated processes, adhesion injection processes and gap filling.
The firm said structural adhesives like Betaforce provide automotive manufacturers with a joining technique for composite materials, supporting the production of lighter weight vehicles. Dow said the product leads to improved safety and crash behavior, reduced vibrations and noise, optimized ride, driving and handling characteristics, and extends the vehicle life span.