BASF develops tailor-made PU solutions for car interiors

摘要

CHEMISTS at BASF Polyurethanes GmbH have paved the way for elegant car interiors by developing two tailor-made polyurethane (PU) solutions, namely, ElastoskinA~R, the in-mold-coating (IMC) spray skin, and ElastollanA~R, the hard-phase-modified aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethane (HPM-TPU). Both surface materials stand out for their luxurious look and exquisite feel. The IMC spray skin, an aromatic PU system, is relatively soft since it is also back-foamed. This is why it is employed whenever good haptic properties in response to pressure are valued in areas such as instrument panels, armrests or inside door paneling. HPM-TPU, in contrast, yields a soft touch (tactile sensation). Parts with Elastollan surfaces are not back-foamed. Moreover, the lightfast TPU does away with the otherwise necessary laborious off-line coating process. Application examples are door handles, center console covers and cup holders.