GE PLASTICS
New polymer could be breakthrough in plastics for auto exteriors / No more painting
A new development in polymer technology for automotive applications unveiled by GE Plastics (GEP, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, USA) at a recent press conference in New York could herald the long-awaited breakthrough for the use of plastics in automobile exteriors if it fulfils even part of the promise its manufacturer believes it holds.
The US plastics giant says its new high-gloss “W4” polymer could “take engineering plastics to new levels of performance in terms of extended weatherability, improved hardness and aesthetics retention over time.” While the polymer offers “expanded design freedom to multiple markets,” GEP says the initial focus will be on automotive body exteriors, truck tonneau covers, RV panels, water craft and agricultural equipment.
Of particular interest to automakers and their suppliers, says GEP general manager of marketing Mike Brown, is the potential to eliminate the need for painting vehicle exteriors, “one of the most expensive processes in automotive manufacturing.” Brown suggests it will even be possible to eliminate the clear coat used on the “smart” micro compact car´s moulded-in-colour body panels of GEP´s “Xenoy” PC/PBT blend.
Along with the high-gloss surface, GEP points to depth of image, long-term retention of gloss and colour after outdoor weathering, excellent resistance to gasoline and other chemicals, good scratch resistance, the elimination of paint solvent emissions as well as the need to recycle paint as advantages of the new polymer. The replacement of metal body panels with body parts made of engineering thermoplastics should also cut assembly time and tooling costs as well as fuel consumption, the US group notes.
The new development will be introduced to the public at the “NPE” exhibition in Chicago (19-23 June 2000). First commercial launch – in the form of a film or cap layer – is planned for the end of the year. Several injection moulding grades are to be introduced later, with all types to be available by 2002. If the polymer is used for entire vehicle exteriors, the worldwide market potential in automotive applications should be about 1.5m tonnes, GEP says.
The US plastics giant says its new high-gloss “W4” polymer could “take engineering plastics to new levels of performance in terms of extended weatherability, improved hardness and aesthetics retention over time.” While the polymer offers “expanded design freedom to multiple markets,” GEP says the initial focus will be on automotive body exteriors, truck tonneau covers, RV panels, water craft and agricultural equipment.
Of particular interest to automakers and their suppliers, says GEP general manager of marketing Mike Brown, is the potential to eliminate the need for painting vehicle exteriors, “one of the most expensive processes in automotive manufacturing.” Brown suggests it will even be possible to eliminate the clear coat used on the “smart” micro compact car´s moulded-in-colour body panels of GEP´s “Xenoy” PC/PBT blend.
Along with the high-gloss surface, GEP points to depth of image, long-term retention of gloss and colour after outdoor weathering, excellent resistance to gasoline and other chemicals, good scratch resistance, the elimination of paint solvent emissions as well as the need to recycle paint as advantages of the new polymer. The replacement of metal body panels with body parts made of engineering thermoplastics should also cut assembly time and tooling costs as well as fuel consumption, the US group notes.
The new development will be introduced to the public at the “NPE” exhibition in Chicago (19-23 June 2000). First commercial launch – in the form of a film or cap layer – is planned for the end of the year. Several injection moulding grades are to be introduced later, with all types to be available by 2002. If the polymer is used for entire vehicle exteriors, the worldwide market potential in automotive applications should be about 1.5m tonnes, GEP says.
15.05.2000 Plasteurope.com [17396]
Published on 15.05.2000