TPO PP based compounds raise quality and visual appeal of auto interiors

01-Nov-08

Borealis' high-performance Daplen™ thermoplastic olefin (TPO) polypropylene-based compounds were chosen by Volkswagen Group's Skoda Fabia Roomster generation. Apart from attaining a high quality perception in Fabia's interiors, Skoda's Tier 1 suppliers Faurecia and Cadence Innovation worked closely to reach desired results including haptics, scratch resistance levels, low gloss, no odour or fogging and excellent colour performance for consistent, accurately-aligned parts. Daplen EE189AI, a 17% talc filled grade developed especially for the automotive industry, was the preferred choice of French supplier Faurecia for the dashboard and trunk claddings. Its excellent scratch resistance, low gloss and consistent quality made it well-suited to Skoda's request for a smooth finish on the lower dashboard and grained version for the upper section. The need for extra impact strength and stiffness in the integrated instrument panel area was met with Daplen ME268AI, a 20% mineral filled grade. US supplier Cadence Innovation selected Daplen EE158AI, a 13% talc filled grade, for the interior surface cladding because of its combination of high stiffness and very good impact behaviour. The material's outstanding scratch resistance further added to its appeal for this application. All three grades ensured low thermal expansion for the finished parts, delivering a consistent high quality fit between parts. Overall ease of processability contributed to a reduction in scrap rates, enabled thinner wall sections to be used and allowed faster moulding speed to meet Skoda's demands. The lower scrap rate alone provided a cost saving of 1.5%, while Borealis light weight Polypropylene provided a weight reduction of 5%, contributing to improved fuel consumption.