Polycarbonate Blend Resin targets automotive applications.
Press Release Summary:
Offering replacement for styrene maleic-anhydride engineering resins that are discontinued, Bayblend® T88 GF-10 glass fiber-reinforced PC/blend resin offers same shrink rate range, allowing OEMs to continue to use existing tooling for automotive interior applications, such as instrument panel retainers and center consoles. Material provides adhesion to polyurethane foams and offers low VOC emissions when compared with glass-filled SMA resins.
Original Press Release:
Bayer MaterialScience LLC Offers Replacement for SMA Resins with Identical Shrink Rate and Improved Physical Properties for Automotive Applications
Glass fiber-reinforced PC/blend resin offers suppliers and OEMs an easy, environmentally friendly transition from styrene maleic-anhydride resins
Pittsburgh, July 15, 2009 - Automotive suppliers and OEMs looking for a replacement for widely used styrene maleic-anhydride (SMA) engineering resins that are now discontinued need to look no further than Bayer MaterialScience LLC. The company's Bayblend® T88 GF-10 glass fiber-reinforced polycarbonate/blend (PC/blend) resin is a replacement for applications, such as instrument panel retainers, center consoles, and other interior structural parts, which previously used SMA resins.
"We developed this resin to directly compete with glass fiber-reinforced SMA materials by offering improved physical properties," said Dave Siler, interiors key account manager, Bayer MaterialScience LLC. "Now that the SMA material will no longer be available, we can offer a seamless transition for decision makers in need of a replacement material which is available globally for current production model year interior parts."
Interior part suppliers have designed tools to fit SMA's unique shrink rate range, and typically, alternative materials do not fit the same tools. However, this particular PC/blend resin from Bayer MaterialScience has the same shrink rate range as SMA resin, allowing OEMs to continue to use existing tooling for their automotive interior applications.
In addition to offering a smooth transition from SMA resins in a variety of automotive applications, the PC/blend resin from Bayer MaterialScience reduces the problem of a high in-process scrap rate that OEMs experienced with SMA resins, according to Prasanna Godbole, interiors marketing specialist, Bayer MaterialScience LLC. "Because SMA resins tend to be brittle, they could break more easily than the PC/blend resin, which offers higher tensile strength and elongation," he explained.
Other advantages that the resin offers include a higher flow, improved surface cosmetics, better heat aging performance and good adhesion to polyurethane foams. In addition, the glass fiber reinforced PC/blend resin from Bayer MaterialScience offers lower volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions when compared with the glass-filled SMA resins, making it a more environmentally friendly option.
The resin is part of a family of resins that includes Bayblend T88 GF-20 and Bayblend T88 GF-30. This latest generation of glass fiber reinforced Bayblend materials is available globally and was designed specifically for automotive interior applications. The resins in the family exhibit improved melt flow, impact strength and stress cracking resistance, making them ideal for thin-wall applications.
Bayblend T88 GF-10 PC/blend resin will be produced in North America, providing convenience for domestic automakers. It is also available globally to automakers outside of the U.S. from numerous Bayer MaterialScience plants around the world.
Bayer MaterialScience LLC is one of the leading producers of polymers and high-performance plastics in North America and is part of the global Bayer MaterialScience business with nearly 15,100 employees at 30 sites around the world and 2008 sales of 9.7 billion euros. Business activities are focused on the manufacture of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, electrical and electronics, construction, medical, and sports and leisure industries.
For more information about Bayer MaterialScience's Bayblend® T-88 family of resins, call 1-800-662-2927, e-mail naftainfo@bayerbms.com or visit www.bayermaterialsciencenafta.com.
