TPU for future mobility

Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is used on both vehicle interiors and exteriors more extensively. As material technology continuously evolves, more superior TPU materials are developed for automotive applications, in particular, to meet the new requirements from future mobility, making driving a notably high-tech experience.

Versatile possibilities in automotive applications

The development of film technologies for vehicle interiors has made great progress in recent years. To Covestro, trends such as autonomous driving, networking and individualization pose entirely new challenges, but also offer great opportunities for the use of films based on TPU.

Platilon TPU films from the leading material supplier are present in many parts of the vehicle interiors, such as textile laminates from roller blinds for sunroofs, air chambers for lumbar supports of car seats, and foam shrouds for noise reduction components.

Made from aromatic or aliphatic polyurethane, Platilon transparent or colored blow-extruded films combine outstanding mechanical, chemical and thermal properties with suitability for thermoplastics processing technology.

They are noted for their mechanical strength, and are highly extensible, rubber-elastic and kind to the skin, heat-resistant and flexible in cold conditions, puncture and abrasion-resistant and fuel and oil-resistant. Numerous forms of processing are possible, taking in everything from lamination and welding to thermoforming and back-foaming.

Flexible electronics is a new promising application of the elastic TPU films which are equipped by film processors with electronic functions such as traces or sensor elements. With their extreme flexibility and good adhesion to textiles, TPU films offer the best prerequisites for integrating the required conductor path electronics, for example, into door panels.

LEDs can also be integrated so that the resulting film build-ups can be formed into geometrically highly complex decorative parts providing lighting effects.

In addition, flexible electronics based on TPU films can be used in electric vehicles for panel heating of large surface areas in vehicle interiors, replacing the expensive exhaust air heating of traditional combustion engines.

Plays key roles in future mobility

BASF and the Research and Development Center of Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. Ltd. (GAC R&D Center) had co-developed three two-seat concept electric vehicles which were debuted at the Auto Guangzhou 2018.

The concept vehicles were designed by GAC R&D Center with advanced prototyping support from designfabrik, BASF’s dedicated touch-point for engaging and inspiring designers. This is the first time BASF has cooperated with a Chinese OEM to develop concept vehicles.

From holistic air cleaning solutions to seat fabrics, as well as materials used to build the body panels and battery pack, BASF’s innovative solutions turn ideas into solutions. Among the three models introduced, both the 2U and 2ALL adopt the TPU solutions from BASF.

Designed to appeal to women seeking an automotive look that meets their individual style, the 2U model showcases possibilities including a unique seat design with translucent trim parts. The fur-like surface of the passenger’s seat design is brought to life with BASF’s Adsint TPU 3D printing solution.

For the 2ALL model, the vehicle features several design elements to address the particular needs of car sharing, including easy operation and low maintenance. For example, the front bumper made from BASF’s Elastollan HPM TPU for automotive exterior has an outstanding anti-scratch elastomer pad design. The seat back and pan cushion made with BASF’s Infinergy E-TPU (Expanded-TPU) particle foams perfectly combine comfort with robustness.

Infinergy E-TPU is closed-cell, elastic particle foam that combines the properties of TPU with the advantages of foams. Being particle foam, Infinergy has a low bulk weight with a density of about 110 kilograms per cubic meter, and after processing on standard molding machines, a molded part weight of between 200 and 320 kilogram per cubic meter.

Thanks to its closed-cell structure, one of the main features of Infinergy is its highly elastic and excellent recovery behavior. The material also absorbs little water, less than 2% by volume in 24 hours.

Made into high-quality charging cables

Lubrizol has introduced zero halogen flame retardant TPU which can be made into durable and high-quality charging cables for electric vehicles.

Comparing to traditional materials like PVC or TPE, TPU is more durable and not easy to get cracked after same using period. Moreover, TPU jacket can be 40% thinner than PVC and TPE to reach same performance.

As introduced, this product is very easy-to-extrusion and satisfies all electric vehicle cable standards and certification requirements. It offers high level performance with balanced mechanical properties, VW-1 flame retardant performance and achievable softest for the scroll flexibility.

In addition, Lubrizol has also launched a novel TPU product line for the hot melt adhesive market: Pearlbond 700 series.

Key benefits include fast setting (which leads to very short cycle time), high heat resistance, high elasticity at low temperatures, high impact resistance and vibration dampening.

The Pearlbond 700 portfolio (700, 700HMS, 702 and 703) provides outstanding adhesion to both rigid and flexible substrates. Excellent bonding strength can be obtained with substrates such as cotton, nylon, polyester fibers, and many others.

This new offering is designed to endure high temperature wash and chemical dry cleaning, and equipped with high hydrolytic resistance. It can be used in a multitude of demanding applications in automotive and other sectors.

source : https://www.adsalecprj.com/Publicity/ePub/lang-eng/article-67032541/asid-30/EbookArticle.aspx?lang=eng&article=67032541&asid=30

edit : handelr