Especially in horizontal applications of thermoplastic body-panels occurs a conflict between the required thermal stability (generally achieved with short glass fibers) and the high level surface finish as the reinforcements worsen the surface texture.The sandwich-molding procedure for bigger body-panels, developed further at BMW, offers an innovative solution to this problem. Two materials, one with good surface finish properties (material A) and another with glass fiber reinforcement (material B), are coinjected in a single process step. The result is a part with class-A surface (only material A visible at the surface), advanced mechanical and thermal properties. Additionally to an outstanding surface finish the body-panel exhibits small thermal expansion relevant for reduction of gaps to bordering parts.
Sandwich Structure for Thermoplastic Body-Panels with Class-A Surface by Injection Molding
Sae Technical Papers
SAE 2006 World Congress & Exhibition ; 2006
03.04.2006
Aufsatz (Konferenz)
Englisch
Gas Assisted Injection Molding - The New Thermoplastic Molding Technology for Exterior Body Panels
SAE Technical Papers | 1989
|Vertical Body Panels: Flexible Class A Surface Composites Via Compression or Injection Molding
SAE Technical Papers | 1992
|