Polymer exterior trim

Major polymer applications electronics (computer and television housings, keyboard frames, interface boxes), automotive (instrument panels, interior and exterior trim, glove compartments, wheel covers, electric connectors, ftise boxes), air conditioner housings, hospital and office fiimiture, production of blends... 

Applications blow molded bottles, calendered sheet, exterior trim, fence, film, foam, pipe, profile, rigid containers, siding, windows, wood-polymer composites... 

The topic of polymer nanocomposites pertains to the synthesis, characterization, and applications of polymer materials with at least one or more dimensions less than 100 nm. According to the Rayleigh criterion, the maximum resolution or the minimum detectable size achievable was believed to be half the wave length of light, that is, 200 nm. The first clay nanocomposite was commercialized by Toyota with a belt cover made of a nylon-6 matrix filled with 5% clay. General Motors commercialized the first exterior trim application of nanocomposite in their 2002 mid-sized vans. 

In this chapter we will discuss the basic families of materials used in today s automobiles. We will concentrate on polymers, although the chemist s role deals with all materials used in a vehicle. The use of polymers has steadily increased ever since their introduction into a vehicle s structure. Exterior as well as interior parts and trims made from polymers are increasingly replacing traditional steel or aluminum parts [1], The drive for mass and cost savings is enhanced by the material s ability to be customized and to decrease material cost. Coatings are applied to interior parts as well as to exterior parts to enhance appearance and provide corrosion resistance. Stabilization is required of many of the polymeric components (this topic is addressed in Chapter 4). 

Acrylate Styrene Acrylonitrile Polymer Acrylic rubber-modified thermoplastic with high weatherability. Acrylate Styrene Acrylonitrile Polymer has good heat and chemical resistance, toughness, rigidity, and antistatic properties. Processed by extrusion, thermoforming, and molding. Used in construction, leisure, and automotive applications such as siding, exterior auto trim, and in outdoor furniture. 

Uses Outdoor-weatherable injection molding resin for interior and exterior automotive/truck/RV trim and parts, building and construction applies., window frames, streetlight housings, road signs, etc. modifier for polymers incl. PVC... 

Polymers are used in many areas on the exterior of the vehicle. These include a variety of components such as moldings, trim, appliques, body panels, doors and exterior mirror housings, front and rear fascia, and lighting systems and pickup beds. Door seals can be made from thermoplastic elastomers. These materials must meet performance, durability, weatherability, and styling criteria. 

The main applications of polyamide in the automotive exterior parts sector are rear mirror housing, door handles, windscreen wiper parts, sun roof frames, lock covers, wheel trims, fuel filler caps, painted parts such as wheel trims, and skirts and grilles. Polyamide is not yet used on its own for manufacture of body parts but can be used in combination with other polymers. It is also beginning to be used in manufacture of modular front-end carriers using the Bayer hybrid technology. 

Exterior parts account for just over a quarter of the total volume of ABS used in the automotive market. The principal applications are wheel trim, mirror and light housings. ABS can also be found, usually in combination with polycarbonate as a blend, in electrical systems housing. The material is rarely found in under-the-bonnet applications because of its lower temperature resistance compared with other polymers. 

The auto polymer coatings market has been (1) defined in terms of snb-strate type (hard/soft), substrate material (polymer type), and module (instrument panel [IP], door trim [DT], floor). A summary of the applications that use liquid coatings and the alternatives is presented in Figure 1. The target zones in interiors and exteriors for coatings are sunomarized in Table 2. 

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