Zircotec forms technical partnership with Norton Racing, to assist heat management in restricted spaces on V4 prototype racer.
Iconic British motorcycle manufacturer will use specialist thermal barrier coatings and heatshield material, to manage heat on the Norton SG2 prototypes ahead of the Isle of Man TT.
Abingdon, UK Zircotec is delighted to announce a technical partnership with Norton Racing, who will use both Zircotec ceramic coatings and ZircoFlex ceramic heatshield material on the factory team’s SG2 race bikes in 2014. Norton will make extensive use of Zircotec products with ceramic coatings applied to both the exhaust system and airbox. Coatings applied in these areas will maximise internal temperatures for increased performance and crucially, reduce external temperatures to manage heat and protect neighbouring components. The addition of ZircoFlex, a ceramic aluminium backed heatshield with the ability to lower surface temperatures by up to 85 percent, will be applied to bodywork and the rear shock absorber.
“We are delighted to enter into a partnership with such an iconic British manufacturer,” comments Peter Whyman, Zircotec’s sales and marketing director. “The Norton name is synonymous with the Isle of Man TT and we are very excited to be working closely with the works team as it prepares for the 2014 event.”
The Isle of Man TT is widely regarded as the ultimate test for rider and machine, with average speeds of around 130mph on each 37 mile lap. With top speeds in excess of 200mph and the long lap offering little respite from high bike temperatures, thermal management is a key factor in achieving overall reliability.
“The management of heat is an issue faced by all teams at the TT,” says Norton head of design, Simon Skinner. “We know that there is room for improvement in this area and by understanding the overall heat management on the bikes during testing, we aim to arrive at the TT with a precise knowledge of how to maximise the performance for the race,” says Skinner.
After an initial shakedown at Bruntingthorpe in late January, the Norton team will then travel straight to Spain as the official test programme commences. As part of the technical agreement, Norton engineers will record results during its test programme and make them available to Zircotec. The recording of performance data in extreme thermal environments will aid the development of new products for the coatings specialist.
Norton plan to enter two machines in the Senior TT and Superbike TT, the blue riband races of the famous Isle of Man TT, held between 24th May and 6th June 2014.
About Zircotec
Zircotec www.zircotec.com offers a wide range of plasma sprayed ceramic and metallic coatings that protect components against the effects of heat, wear, abrasion and corrosion. Lightweight and easily packaged, Zircotec’s technologies can be applied to a broad range of different materials including metals and composites. Proven in F1 and the nuclear industry, the technology is now trusted by car manufacturers, industrial users, car enthusiasts and an increasing range of other applications to effectively manage heat and wear, enhancing performance and reliability. ZircoFlex® offers for the first time, a truly flexible ceramic heat shield material.
Press Enquiries
Zircotec
Nick Bailey, Propel Technology, Bloxham Mill, Barford Road, Bloxham, Banbury, Oxfordshire, UK, OX15 4FF.
+44 (0)1295 724130 / +44 (0) 7813 956664
Sales Enquiries
Zircotec
Peter Whyman, Zircotec, 22 Nuffield Way, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 1RL
+44 1235 54 60 50
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