From passenger car to van interiors:PP-compound vehicle interiors

For some years, Karl Etzel GmbH from Mühlacker in Baden-Württemberg has been using Hostacom TRC 364N for seat trims in Daimler passenger cars in the Daimler color shade black 9051. And now it's also being used for the van segment.

The good workability and the balanced mechanical properties, combined with the good scratch- and UV-resistance, as well as low emissions and odour, have prompted the processor to also use this material in the Daimler Sprinter.

Due to the long-standing successful cooperation with the plastics distributor K.D. Feddersen and the producer LyondellBasell, as well as the successful use of the material in the passenger car segment, the decision to use the 18 % talcum-reinforced PP-compound was easy and the component approval was granted quickly.

The Hostacom product range also fits well with the ongoing focus on lightweight construction in the automotive sector. With Hostacom TRC 2016N, LyondellBasell has already developed a reduced-density successor product for Daimler, which contributes to a lower vehicle weight and thus reduced CO2 emissions. This solution is already used in the passenger car segment. The scratch resistance has also been significantly improved.

As the image below shows: In the van segment, Hostacom TRC 364N is used in the Daimler color shade black 9051. In the passenger car segment, it is used in a wide range of interior color shades.

Light but still strong:Electrical system battery box in the VW Pluto convinces as a complete package

Volkswagen's own ride sharing provider MOIA launched the electrically driven VW Plutos in Hamburg in early 2019. The model used for this purpose is called MOIA 6+. The battery box for the electrical system is manufactured by H & H Gesellschaft für Enginee

H & H Gesellschaft für Engineering und Prototypenbau mbH was commissioned by VW AG to design the tool and manufacture the series components. Due to problems with warpage in the manufacturing of the components for release by VW AG, Business Development Manager Christoph Gerling from the Hamburg-based plastics distributor K.D. Feddersen came into play and supported the further sampling for the component and mould approval.

The machine parameters were optimised so that the components meet the requirements of VW standard 44045 PP10 and they could obtain VW release.

The distributor also provided support for the preceding choice of material. The processor requested a PP with 30 % glass fibre reinforcement, which had to meet the required standard of VW AG.

“With Hostacom G3 R05 105555 from LyondellBasell, we recommended a PP compound which is easy-flowing, has excellent mechanical properties and also presents very low warpage,” explains Gerling. According to the distributor, the material is also recyclable and offers a very good price-performance ratio.

According to VW standard 44045, the components on the surface and the interior must not have any imperfections or manufacturing defects such as flow lines, cavities or tears. Sink marks in the base area of ribs and reinforcements are only allowed if they do not impact the functionality and appearance of the component. Flawless installation must also be guaranteed. Under the PP10 notation, it is noted that the application area for highly thermally stressed parts has high requirements in terms of strength, stiffness and shape retention.

“We are very grateful for the support from K.D. Feddersen and for Mr Gerling's commitment to the implementation of the project and the solution to the delay problems,” says Udo Heckt, Project Manager at H&H Gesellschaft für Engineering und Prototypenbau mbH.

Apart from their application in the VW Pluto/MOIA 6+, the components will also be used for the VW E-Crafter. These vehicles are currently being built in various VW AG factories.

As the image below shows: The battery box housing of the VW Pluto, made from Hostacom G3 R05 105555.

Polypropylene Grade for Demanding Automotive Exterior Application Developed:Weather-resistant, Impact-resistant and Strong

Today radiator grilles not only serve for aerodynamics, air intake and protection, but are also a decorative element for the respective PKW. With Softell TKG 2148P, LyondellBasell has developed a polypropylene grade for Audi that offers all this and also

You can read more about this exciting project in the article in Kunststoffe 3/2019. 

Check Here