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Tata Launches Steel-Plastic Composite Material

Tata has dubbed the material Coretinium, which is made of a polypropylene honeycomb core sandwiched between two coated steel skins.

“The combination of pre-finished steel for the skins with the polypropylene honeycomb’s bi-directional rigidity makes for one of the most efficient products for commercial vehicle manufacturers looking for a lightweight alternative for the sidewalls and floors of their vehicles,” said Edwin Richards, Tata Steel’s technical sales manager, in a statement.

The steel skins are made from Tata’s Colorcoat Prisma, a pre-finished sheet product made up of a corrosion-resistant metallic coating and an abrasion- and UV-resistant polymer topcoat.

“Coretinium has a range of benefits for customers. Its hollow core makes it a lightweight alternative – reducing transport costs for example – and its unique rigidity makes it stronger. Coretinium is also durable and shows no degradation from water ingress or moisture, maintaining its product life even in wet or humid conditions,” said Richards.

Coretinium is made at Tata Steel’s Shotton, North Wales, plant in the United Kingdom. It is 10 mm thick and can be supplied in sheet in lengths between 2.5 meters and 10 meters.

The manufacturing line employs patented honeycomb-core production technology from Belgium’s EconCore NV.
Tata said that aside from trailer and bus manufacturing, the material will be of use in the manufactured goods sector, where strength and flatness are required.  Potential applications include modular housing, exhibition stands, interior walls, event flooring, signage, boilers and heaters.

"Coretinium is an innovative addition to our products and services portfolio, and a truly differentiated product that offers tangible benefits in the commercial transportation and manufactured goods sector,” said Henrik Adam, Tata Steel’s chief commercial officer in Europe.