Weatherable PC Copolymer for In-Mold Exterior Automotive Components
SABIC’ new LNP Elcres SLX1271SR features enhanced scratch and mar resistance and a high-gloss surface finish.
The newest addition to a portfolio of weatherable PC copolymer compounds from SABIC boasts enhanced scratch and mar resistance and a high-gloss surface. LNP Elcres SLX1271SR resin is said to offer a new molded-in color solution for exterior automotive components. The material is also said to deliver exceptional weatherability, continuous UV stability and good mechanical performance. According to SABIC, adopting this new solution enables customers to leverage the environmental and potential system cost advantages of paint elimination while maintaining the attractive appearance of exterior parts over time.
Paint-free LNP Elcres SLX1271SR resin offers a new solution for reducing VOC emissions in automotive exterior components, while delivering excellent aesthetics comparable to those of incumbent solutions such as painted PC and painted PC/ABS resins. For instance, in terms of scratch resistance and gloss retention, this new product showed similar performance to painted polymer substrates in the wet scrub (car wash) test. Further, the SABIC material can maintain its desirable aesthetics better than other paint-free thermoplastics – for up to 10 years or more. One reason is that the resin forms a self-protecting layer that absorbs UV light on a continuous basis to help retain color and gloss.
The new resin is formulated to deliver vivid, molded-in colors, such as piano black, and a high-gloss surface finish. SABIC conducted a comparison of this new product and competitive materials: a toughened PMMA grade and a blend of PMMA and ASA. The results showed that LNP SLX1271SR resin provides better mechanical performance as well as improved gloss, color depth and heat resistance (~ 120 C/248 F) compared to acrylic-based resins like PMMA or PMMA/ASA (heat resistance ~80 C/176 F). In addition to automotive exterior parts such as spoilers, grilles and mirror housings, it is well suited for computer electronics housings and outdoor infrastructure components like solar panels.
Related Content
-
NPE2024 Materials: Spotlight on Sustainability with Performance
Across the show, sustainability ruled in new materials technology, from polyolefins and engineering resins to biobased materials.
-
Prices of Volume Resins Generally Flat or Lower
Exceptions in early March were PP and PS, which moved up solely due to feedstock constraints, along with slight upward movement in PVC and PET.
-
Prices of Volume Resins Drop--Except for PE
The downward trajectory appears to be continuing into the first quarter for most resin prices, though PE and possibly PP may remain somewhat stable.
