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Coatings specialist Zircotec has announced it will launch two brand new products at Europe’s largest dedicated motorsport trade show, Autosport International, on January 10-13, 2013 at Birmingham’s NEC.
Zircotec has developed a 24 carat gold backed variant of its ZircoFlex heatshield material along with the option of a real gold finish for its ThermoHold coatings for carbon composites. Zircotec has combined the performance of its ceramic-based thermal insulation with the effective radiant heat reflective properties of real gold. As a result, Zircotec believes it has produced a solution that offers high levels of performance in protecting components that are exposed to radiant heat.
Both products can be applied to areas of a race car where it is key to reflect heat away from sensitive components, such as a car’s fuel tank or driver’s area, through the reflective nature of gold.
One example application will be in and around the cockpit area of cars, particularly in endurance racing. The reduction in heat transfer, thanks to the combination of ceramic and gold, could lower the need for air conditioning during races, increasing efficiency as a result.
One of the many exhibitors at Autosport International that crossover into industries other than motorsport, the new coatings are also expected to be used by aerospace and defence companies, continuing Zircotec’s tradition in the sectors.
"Real gold has long been used for reflecting heat, though gold leaf is very difficult to use and foil is very expensive,” said Zircotec Managing Director Terry Graham. "High levels of heat reflection only come from the use of real gold metal and we are offering the benefits of real gold in parallel with our trusted ceramic-based products. There are some products that are only gold-coloured: these just cannot match the effect of real gold. We expect this to be of particular interest to F1, WEC, GT and Touring Car categories.”
"Each year, exhibitors choose Autosport International as a platform to launch their latest products,” said Ian France, Autosport International Show Director. "Zircotec’s new gold coatings epitomise what Autosport Engineering is about: keeping up-to-date with the industry’s latest innovations.”
A long-time Autosport International exhibitor, Zircotec will be showing both products at Stand E962 in Hall 9
