SABIC has unveiled a new and growing portfolio of SABIC® polypropylene (PP) compounds that deliver a soft feel combined with excellent scratch performance in unpainted, low gloss automotive interior components. The new PP compounds offer the luxurious haptics and finishes that today’s consumers demand – even in lower-priced vehicles. At the same time, these injection molding materials can help automotive OEMs and tiers reduce costs by as much as 50 percent by avoiding secondary operations such as applying soft paint, fabric, foam or other surface covering.
“Elegance, comfort and quiet in automotive interiors are becoming increasingly important to buyers of vehicles at all price points,” said Scott Fallon, global leader of SABIC’s Automotive business. “SABIC engineered these new PP compounds to address this demand by helping manufacturers deliver an interior environment that connotes luxury while controlling costs. Our customers can benefit from the outstanding aesthetics and value this innovative material technology provides.”
In addition to a soft tactile feel, SABIC® PP compounds provide an attractive matte surface with excellent scratch resistance, good impact performance and low shrinkage. These SABIC materials also deliver good sound damping capability to help create a quiet cabin environment. The portfolio, which is available globally, includes several grades of short glass fiber-reinforced PP to give customers a choice of stiffness level and material density. The materials are also UV stabilized to prevent fading and color shift.