Advanced Hardcoat Technologies for Automotive

The latest development in the SilFort hardcoat technology for demanding exterior automotive applications from Momentive Performance Materials were featured at K 2022. The company’s highly-transparent SilFor hardcoats are high-performance siloxane resin-based scratch-resistant coatings that expand the range of uses for plastics in exterior and interior applications. Applied to surfaces in ultra-thin layers, they are said to reliably protect against damage caused by UV radiation as well as mechanical and chemical stresses. Among other things, the precise and material-saving digital coating of 3D molded parts with newly optimized inkjet technology were demonstrated at the trade fair.

Together with FPT Robotik, Momentive has further developed the use of digital inkjet printing for such applications in a way that these requirements can be met and also combine ecological with economic advantages. With the correspondingly optimized process, only the single drop which is actually needed leaves the nozzle. This free-form digital printing process can be used over large areas and reportedly delivers high-quality results on component edges and on parts with complex shapes. The print head is then guided robotically over the component in a pilot booth and simulates how the scratch-resistant coating is applied to the contours of, for example, a complex 3D polycarbonate component using drop-on-demand inkjet technology, as was demonstrate at K 2022. There is neither ink nor curing used. The coating delivery is performed by the robot.

Momentive's hardcoats are approved by and in use with the world's leading automotive manufacturers and include:.

 ▪  SilFort AS4700-SP1 is a protective clearcoat that gives automotive exteriors in clear and black polycarbonate high scratch, abrasion and weather resistance. This special coating was developed for the use of bell spraying on large parts with complex shapes and facilitates long-term cleaning of the surfaces.

 ▪  SilFort UVHC5000K1 is the latest generation of UV-curable, highly weather-resistant protective clearcoats for automotive exteriors and meets the most important global regulations for automotive headlamp applications.

 ▪  The SilFort TAC2000 anti-fog coating, applied to the inside of headlamps and sensor covers, prevents condensation.

 ▪  SilFort UVHC7400 is a highly scratch and chemical resistant UV-curable clearcoat for automotive interiors and displays. It is suitable for application with the new digital inkjet printing.