ARPRO® seating saves weight, preserves safety

By using ARPRO Expanded Polypropylene, interior systems suppliers can now offer dramatically weight-reduced seating solutions without impacting passenger safety.

Key to weight savings of up to 35% is the migration of the anti-submarine ramp from the body-in-white to the rear seat bench construction. Anti-submarining is necessary for retaining rear passengers in their seats under harsh braking. ARPRO is strong and resilient enough to enable the ramp to be incorporated into the seating itself, replacing the traditional metal structure and contributing to a simpler vehicle platform.

ARPRO provides a unique combination of material properties, making it ideal for use in a wide range of automotive products. JSP is expert at tailoring ARPRO for specific applications, where the expanded polypropylene can help reduce system mass by 25% to 35%.

Its extremely high strength to weight ratio is particularly useful in anti-submarining safety applications whereby it can return to its original shape following dynamic stresses.

“Increased safety requirements have contributed to heavier and less space efficient cars” explained Paul Compton, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (Europe). “ARPRO permits a lighter yet stronger seating structure that preserves safety, saves weight and also allows a flat floor for multiple platform variants.”

ARPRO components can be found on over 23,000,000 cars and light trucks, but anti-submarining solutions is a far-reaching new development set to further increase the amount of ARPRO in vehicles.

“JSP is supplying ARPRO seating solutions in to three of this year’s major car launches, and we hope to tell all soon” promised Compton.

The Volvo XC60; according to Volvo “The safest car we have ever built” incorporating the ARPRO® seating solution on second row seats.

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