In-House Color Expertise Yields Scuff- and Mar-Resistant TPEs That Eliminate Secondary Painting of Airbag Covers

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PAWTUCKET, RHODE ISLAND, U.S.A., March 8, 1999 -- Drawing on in-house capabilities for consistent color formulation, Teknor Apex has developed pre-colored thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) compounds that eliminate the need to paint injection molded automotive airbag covers, the company announced today. The Tekron LM [registered trademark] 4300 series has successfully completed molding and mar-resistance trials specified by Daimler Chrysler, GM/Saturn, and Honda, according to Charles E. Gates, Industry Manager.

"Because these compounds provide the same resistance to marring and scratching as conventional soft-touch paints for vehicle interiors, they can save OEMs between $1 and $2 per airbag cover," Gates said. The savings stem from eliminating the time, labor, raw materials, and energy required for painting; losses caused by blistering and chipping during manufacturing and assembly; and environmental measures required for paint carrier systems.

In developing the Tekron LM 4300 Series, Teknor Apex drew on seven years of experience as a supplier of TPE and vinyl compounds for airbag covers in North American and European cars, Gates noted, and took advantage of the color expertise of its sister organization, Teknor Color Company. "We are the only manufacturer of compounds for airbag covers that is also a major producer of color concentrates," he said.

Priced in the U.S. at $2.25/lb. for truckload quantities in gray, green, tan, brown, or black, the compounds also are available in custom color-match formulations.

According to Tim D. Pysher, Automotive Specialist for Teknor Apex, the new compounds yield airbag cover surfaces consistent with the latest style and comfort effects sought by today's automotive designers:

· Matching finish. Consistently yielding parts with gloss levels of around 2.0, Tekron LM 4300 Series compounds can replicate the surfaces of steering wheel grips, horn buttons, leather trim, and other matte-finish components of today's soft-look interiors.

· Matching feel. Available in a range of softnesses and flexibilities, the new TPEs can provide widely differing tactile properties, requirements for which vary with the location of the airbag cover (driver, passenger, and side).

· Matching color. Teknor Apex works closely with Teknor Color in developing precisely matched custom formulations and assuring their consistency.

James P. Cafferty, Market Manager for Teknor Color, emphasized the importance of color expertise in formulating compounds for unpainted appearance parts in auto interiors: "Color formulation affects every aspect of finished-part performance, including UV resistance, physical properties, and heat aging. Without stringent manufacturing controls, moreover, color variations are possible, both within-lot and lot-to-lot. Since airbag covers must precisely match the appearance of other interior components produced from different materials in different processes, such inconsistencies can result in costly rejects."