New resins provide greater design flexibility, help reduce weight

Advances in resin technology are helping designers to reduce weight through the use of materials which previously did not have sufficient strength or rigidity. One of the newest products on the market is the RIMLINE® HC+ PU resin system from Huntsman Corporation, a global manufacturer of specialty chemicals.

This addition to the RIMLINE® resin technology suite of automotive composites, the RIMLINE® HC+ PU resin system is a two-component product that can be spray-applied to fiberglass reinforced honeycomb panels to form a tough, robust and long-lasting lightweight composite material, according to the company. Such composites can be used to provide versatile, weight-saving solutions with high strength and  rigidity for parcel shelves, trunk load floors, and interior panels. Honeycomb panels provide greater design flexibility than other materials, and can be cut into complex and curved shapes.

The RIMLINE® HC+ PU resin system also provides superior edge finishing and reproduction of intricate mould details, according to Huntsman. Combined with a good adhesion profile and high temperature resistance, the RIMLINE® HC+ PU resin system is easy to apply with a long spray time and short cure time, permitting a high number of releases between cleaning cycles, with low levels of material waste. The RIMLINE® HC+ PU resin system can be formulated to produce individually tailored material solutions to meet stringent and often complex project requirements.

Huntsman’s technical experts can support automotive designers with differentiated solutions, which capture project requirements and integrate market trends for lighter, more fuel-efficient vehicles whilst addressing the need for high quality standards that deliver passenger safety and comfort. Irina Bolshakova, Senior Market Manager of Transportation for Huntsman Polyurethanes, says: “Huntsman continues to develop game-changing solutions that provide design flexibility and increased productivity. The RIMLINE® HC+ PU resin system is an innovative addition to our already successful portfolio of products, which can be formulated to create customized solutions.

With industry recognized technical competence that is second to none, customers rely on our trusted technologies, expertise and partnership to help solve the challenges of everyday design.”

Automotive Industries (AI) asked Bolshakova what benefits the RIMLINE® HC+ PU resin system offers to automotive interior vehicle designers. Bolshakova: The RIMLINE® HC+ PU resin system is designed to address modern challenges inside the car interior, such as lightweighting, reliability and the need for greater design freedom. Leading Tier suppliers recognize that RIMLINE® HC+ PU resin system is a versatile, weight-saving solutions with high strength and rigidity for components such as parcel shelves, trunk load floors and interior panels. It is also suitable for flat and shaped honeycomb panels for increased design freedom of dashboard, door panels and interior shelves. The outstanding mechanical characteristics of the RIMLINE® HC+ resin system are complemented by its superior appearance and texture that can be easily combined with various finishes.

AI: How does the RIMLINE® HC+ PU resin system work?

Bolshakova: RIMLINE® HC+ resin system is a twocomponent polyurethane resin that can be spray-applied to fiberglass resin reinforced honeycomb panels to form a tough, robust and long-lasting lightweight composite material.

AI: In which applications can such composites be used?

Bolshakova: The RIMLINE® HC+ resin system is broadly adopted for trunk components of light vehicles like parcel shelves, trunk load floors, and spare wheel covers. We see more and more new applications in areas like dashboard, door panels, seat backs and sun roofs within light vehicles and this technology gaining recognition in light trucks and buses.

AI: How would the characteristics of the RIMLINE® HC+ PU resin system affect the design of core composites?

Bolshakova: The standard manufacturing process is SCM (spray compression molding) that enables customers to produce high-volume components with consistent quality. Combined with a very good adhesion profile and high resistance to abrasion and temperature, RIMLINE® HC+ resin system is easy to apply and has a long spray time and fast processing, permitting a high number of releases between cleaning cycles with low levels of material waste. AI: Can RIMLINE® HC+ PU resin system be used for individually tailored material solutions? Bolshakova: The RIMLINE® HC+ resin system can be formulated to produce individually tailored material solutions to meet stringent and often complex project requirements. Our technical experts can support automotive designers with differentiated solutions which capture project requirements and integrate market trends for lighter, more fuel-efficient vehicles whilst addressing the need for high quality standards that deliver passengers safety and comfort.

AI: What service and support do you offer to automotive designers?

Bolshakova: In order to address the challenges that automotive players are facing, partnerships between material suppliers and automotive Tiers is essential to develop exciting and functional interiors of the future without compromising quality and durability. To accomplish this task, we are able to support Tier suppliers from an early stage of the project. Huntsman Polyurethanes’ technical and development teams are capable of prototyping, analysing, testing, and small-scale production of chemicals and components. We also provide our customers and partners with extended environmental health and safety support like training and work floor audits, in order to ensure safe and sustainable use of Polyurethane-based materials. Partnership is a key to success. AI: How do your composite technologies help reduce cycle times? PU resin system affect the design of core composites? Bolshakova: The standard manufacturing process is SCM (spray compression molding) that enables customers to produce high-volume components with consistent quality. Combined with a very good adhesion profile and high resistance to abrasion and temperature, RIMLINE® HC+ resin system is easy to apply and has a long spray time and fast processing, permitting a high number of releases between cleaning cycles with low levels of material waste.

AI: Can RIMLINE® HC+ PU resin system be used for individually tailored material solutions?

Bolshakova: The RIMLINE® HC+ resin system can be formulated to produce individually tailored material solutions to meet stringent and often complex project requirements. Our technical experts can support automotive designers with differentiated solutions which capture project requirements and integrate market trends for lighter, more fuel-efficient vehicles whilst addressing the need for high quality standards that deliver passengers safety and comfort. Bolshakova: There are two aspects that allow our customer to optimize cost and productivity when using RIMLINE HC+ resin system: tailor made-approach and outstanding mechanical characteristics. The tailor-made approach is supported by our technical team and allows customers to balance the RIMLINE® HC+ resin system in the most optimal way for their manufacturing process and conditions without compromising the mechanical characteristics that are critical for durability and further processing of the parts.

AI: What’s next for Huntsman Polyurethanes?

Bolshakova: Honeycomb structures are opening new horizons for automotive suppliers and OEMs. The Huntsman Polyurethanes’ team is moving ahead to enable advanced honeycomb technology with the VITROX® HC resin system range. VITROX® resin can be applied to thermoplastic honeycomb and carbon fiber reinforcement of both virgin and recycled grades to provide excellent stiffness, good heat insulation, and good noise reduction of the components. New applications we are exploring include battery covers, bonnet, hood covers and backing structures, seat pans, spoilers and roofs for convertibles.

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