25 Oct 2007
Two-color dashboard skins from Nakan® Drysol PVC: unparalleled appearance and touch !
Resinoplast, an Arkema subsidiary specializing in vinyl compounds, is a major European player in motorcar interiors. With its new innovation capabilities at the service of automotive equipment manufacturers, Resinoplast has played its part in developing « in-mold » technologies. These technologies have been developed to produce two-color skins for dashboards, with the possibility of insert-molding logos, offering the incomparable touch and visual effect of smooth leather.
Made from plasticized PVC, Resinoplast’s Nakan® Drysol powders are processed using the « slush molding » (or rotomolding) technique. This technology is used to manufacture skins for the interior compartment of motorcars, including dashboard, door liner, central console, etc.
The last few years have seen strong demand from major European carmakers for new and original features in their cars’ interior design. However, despite the diversity of materials and processes involved, car interiors could only be differentiated by assembling several components, or by using simple shapes. Resinoplast has therefore been focusing on developing new technologies to offer greater freedom of design and color to equipment manufacturers by using a single mono-material component.
From the expert knowledge of the « slush molding » process, the « in-mold » technology was developed. This is used to manufacture, using the traditional « slush molding » process, a two-color skin, with insert-molded decoration (e.g. logos, etc.) as applicable, all with an excellent grain definition. The innovation lies in the process’s preliminary phase during which a slush powder is dusted directly onto the mold.
This combined use of coating and slush PVC produces the dashboard’s technical and aesthetic characteristics. This on-line decoration of the PVC skin can only be obtained by fine-tuning the composition of the coating and the support.
Already used in mass-produced models, the process is currently being approved by a large number of carmakers.
Resinoplast’s R&D work to develop this « in-mold » PVC has focused on the following points:
- Compliance with the specifications of carmakers: durability, safety, emissions, etc.
- Very high thermal stability in order to withstand the « slush molding » process (up to 260°C)
- Compatibility between support and coating in order to guarantee adhesion and ageing performance
- Ease of application: coverage, flawless masking to ensure a clear line separating the colors, and resistance to running.
Reader enquiries
Arkema
420, rue d'Estienne d'Orves
92705 COLOMBES CEDEX
France
Notes for editors
Related images
Two-color dashboard skins from Nakan® Drysol PVC: unparalleled appearance and touch !
Editorial enquiries
Sybille Chaix
Arkema
Nathalie Chaimbault
EMG
Also available in