Automotive

Elastollan® HPM and Citroën C4 Cactus

Elastollan^® HPM ‒ The First TPU for the Automotive Exterior

Flexible, UV-stable and Good to Process

Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) can now also be used on the vehicle exterior – even extensively and unpainted. As the first manufacturer, BASF offers with the new type Elastollan^® AC 55D10 HPM (High Performance Material) a TPU that combines freedom of design and long-term durability with attractive haptics and a high-class appearance. The new material not only boasts the properties of conventional TPU but shows new features as well.

Benefits

Key Properties of Elastollan^® HPM

Good tensile strength and abrasion resistance
Excellent impact resistance at low temperatures
Scratch-resistance
Elasticity
Good colorability
UV- and weather-resistance

Improved Processing

BASF has also further developed the processing properties of the new Elastollan^® grade. Elastollan^® HPM can be injection-molded within a wide process window with a cycle time that is 50% shorter compared with conventional TPU. It has excellent flow properties, which means that low wall thicknesses of 1.5 to 1.8 mm can be produced without affecting the surface quality.

Optimum Combination of Design and Safety

The automotive manufacturer PSA Peugeot Citroën uses the new TPU grade Elastollan^® AC 55D10 HPM (High Performance Material) for cladding the Citroën C4 Cactus with so-called Airbumps^®. These are large air-filled cushion bumpers in contrasting colors: They are fitted on the sides as well as on the front and rear of the vehicle, protect the car exterior from impact and scratches and give the vehicle its distinctive look.

Flexible and Tight

Elastollan^® HPM is especially suitable for the impact-absorbing Airbumps^®: The injection-molded Elastollan^® component is mounted to a polycarbonate and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) support shell, thus forming flexible cavities that can be dented and bounce back again. The entire structure is fixed to the metal chassis. Because of the good mounting properties of the HPM grade, a tight assemblage is possible which conventional trim materials such as polypropylene do not achieve.

World First: Close Partnership with PSA and Suppliers

This world first is the result of many years of development work between the French automotive manufacturer, the supplier Rehau and BASF. Rehau manufactures the side Airbumps^®, while the company Faurecia produces the bumpers at the front and back.

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Information & Certificates

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