Thermoformable UV Cured Films for Automotive Interior

Marcus Hutchins, Allnex

Abstract:As the automotive industry looks to become more eco-friendly, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are looking to reduce the weight of vehicles, forcing the number of plastic parts in cars to be on the rise. Applications such as the use of decorative laminates that impart wood grain, brushed aluminum, chrome-like finishes can provide the look and feel of the material they are replacing but at reduced weights. Much like their conventional counterparts, these pieces must be formable while incorporating not only chemical resistance but the scratch and abrasion resistance that energy curing is known for. The high crosslink density that is so critical to the performance of these systems typically does not allow the ability to form three-dimensional or deep draw parts. The ability to create an energy curable coating layer that can be formed after curing will provide OEM’s the ability to meet tougher scratch, abrasion and chemical standards while increasing throughput for next-generation products. The data presented will convey how energy cured materials can be used to create formable coatings that meet the scratch, chemical and abrasion resistance needs of the automotive industry.