Automotive

Plastics in Automotive Industry - High Durability Beside the Safety

Technological innovation by the polymers industry is a pivotal feature in the continuing growth and use of plastics in cars. Today, they provide multi component, tailor made solutions for many new requirements, replacing more traditional and heavier materials in the process. Plastic versatility allows for advanced shapes and forms without compromising the safety, comfort or stability of a car. Thanks to polymer light weight, they account for on average 10 percent of total weight. Different types of plastics are used in various shapes and sizes, from all plastics dashboards and fuel tanks to radiator cover grilles. The main types of polymers used in the automotive parts are polyolefins like polypropylene (PP), polyurethane (PUR), TPU, PVC, styrenics, ABS, PC, PC/ABS alloy, polyamide (PA) and PBT.
 
In automotive applications, plastic degradation can lead to increased risk of excessive VOC emissions, fogging, odor, color fading, and surface crazing, among other issues. As a leading supplier, MANACO provides and markets antioxidantsUV absorbers and light stabilizers additives especially designed to extend the service life and improve the features of plastic compounds in automotive and transportation applications
Plastics - Under the Hood44
Plastics - Interior55
Automotive Coatings66

 

Polymer Coatings Provide High Weather Resistance with Attractive Appearance

The main application of light stabilizers is in automotive coating. This means that most of the results with UV light stabilizers were generated in transportation coating systems. The formulation of car paints including phosphate pre-treatment, electrocoating, primer surfacer and topcoat. In topcoat a combination of UV absorbers and HALS additives is widely used. The benefit of the use of UV absorbers is mainly colour retention and the adhesion of the clearcoat or the complete topcoat. The use of HALS provides long-lasting gloss retention and prevents the coating from cracking.