Painting processes on plastic parts have improved strongly over the last 20 years (especially on polypropylene materials). This technology allows a large range of colors and effects, and the last generation of coatings offers a good weather ageing and scratch behavior. However, painting remains an expensive and 'heavy' process. The mass-colored technology brings a good opportunity to reduce drastically the cost of external parts, when the proposed colors fulfill styling requirements. Although this technology is well mastered for polypropylene materials and dark colors, the proposed color pattern range is, up to now, rather low and does not allow a large diversity. In conclusion, mass-colored materials will challenge painting technology only within a limited range of color and effects patterns. The in- or on-line paint technologies remain the most promising technologies. Indeed, the painting flexibility is maintained, parts have the same color as the car steel body, and finally, due to mounting of plastic parts on the cars before the painting process, the cost is reduced. The main limitation of this technology is the low number of materials able to withstand the curing process (E-coat and paint). In conclusion, even if all car manufacturers dream about plastic parts which have the same mass color as the car body, or which could be painted like steel parts, a flexible and cost-effective process for external plastic parts does not exist yet.
Cost reduction approach for exterior plastic parts
2007
7 Seiten, 1 Bild, 4 Quellen
Conference paper
English
Cost reduction approach for exterior plastic parts
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