Elastofoam^® I: A Combination of a Flexible Foam Core and a Compact, Tough Skin

Elastofoam^® I is especially distinguished for its decorative surface finish. The integral foam is extensively employed in the automotive and furniture industries producing steering wheels, gear shift knobs, seat shells, armrests as well as in engine compartment heavy duty uses for cable encapsulation, engine covers, oil pan covers, grommets and gaskets in filter elements.

Benefits

Advantages of Elastofoam^® I:

Decorative surface finish, high abrasion resistance
Resistant to mechanical stress and chemicals
Elastic even after continuous stress
Added layer of water-based in-mold coating can be incorporated to provide UV-stability and multi-tone color options
Low thermal conductivity
Cost-effective, One-shot processing for foams with integrated, attractive surface

Elastofoam^® I is a two-component polyurethane integral foam system that combines a lightweight flexible foam core with a compact, tough skin, in one single-step. Elastofoam^® I‘s high abrasion resistance, elasticity and superior mechanical properties helps decorative surface finish achieve its pleasant soft touch.

Applications

Chairs

Thanks to the flexibility as well as decorative, insensitive surface, Elastofoam^® I is the perfect material for the manufacture of armrests and seat shells. Inserts made of wood or metal give the necessary stability to the molded part.

Container Casing

The polyurethane system protects the inserted metal containers against dents and transport damage and offers additional design options. Colour coding can be implemented as well as smooth or textured surfaces. Polyurethane-fixed cable harness shapes and substantially facilitate mounting.

Cable Encapsulation

PU-fixed cable harness shapes and orientations substantially facilitate mounting which also brings down maintenance and repair costs. Complete cable sheathings ensure reliable humidity insulation even under extreme conditions.

Buttons and Switches

High-grip, abrasion-resistant switches in flexible PU integral foams provide touch-friendly surface textures and give designers a host of options for particularly attractive solutions.

Air Filter Gaskets

High-quality engines demand especially clean air for 'respiration'. This is an interesting example of how BASF facilitates production and simultaneously complies with all engineering requirements: a foamed edge precisely fixes and reliably seals the filter medium at the same time.

Steering Wheels

High-grip steering wheels with integral airbag covers feature surface textures that are pleasant to the touch, impact-resistant at low temperatures and compliant with all necessary safety requirements made by engineers. Moreover, they permit designers to select from a variety of attractive options.

Engine Covers

Elastofoam^® I provides engines with a nice-looking cap distinguished by high durability and media resistance combined with acoustic properties to reduce noise from the engine. Elastofoam^® I can be manufactured in a one-shot foaming process. Since its surface is soft, Elastofoam^® I contributes to reducing head impact in case of an accident with pedestrians.

Armrests and Handles

Especially in utility vehicles the extraordinary durability of Elastofoam^® I parts is appreciated. Pleasant flexibility and haptics are combined with easily cleanable, abrasion-, scratch- and impact-resistant surfaces. Parts can be produced in a cost-effective one-shot process with IMC coating (in-mold coating)

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Information & Certificates

Elastofoam^® Application Range

The applications are as manifold as its product properties: Explore the various application possibilities of Elastofoam^®!

Automotive Interior

With BASF high-tech materials you can achieve modern automotive interior design. They are distinguished not only by high-class surface quality, exclusive appearance and a long service life, but also by efficient production and a service that is second to none.

Automotive Electrics and Electronics

Our engineering plastics and polyurethanes enable innovative solutions, which make electronic systems for the automotive industry indispensable when it comes to safety, comfort and energy efficiency in modern vehicle concepts. Innovation in automotive design is driven by electrical, electronic and mechatronic systems.

Powertrain & Chassis

BASF is a reliable partner for the development of sophisticated powertrain components. Instead of using metal, these components can be produced using our engineering plastics and additives. This has many advantages: weight savings of up to 25 percent, easier processing and lower system costs.

Cable Sheathing

Cable sheathing for the protection of valuable and sensitive energy and control lines has to meet the highest requirements.

Casual Shoes

In a market characterized by high sophisticated production technology, the characteristics of the chosen material are requested to be at the top.

Sports Performance

Extremely light, outstanding durability, comfortable to wear and excellent running properties – no problem with our materials for midsoles in sports footwear.

Work & Safety Shoes

High international standards have to be fulfilled when it comes to the manufacturing of safety and working shoes.

Successful Customer Projects

Proven in practice: These case studies demonstrate the successful use of Elastofoam^® in customer projects.

Our Service Package

We offer our customers a comprehensive range of services with leading technologies and products. Find the service that matches your needs!

Material Testing

We offer our customers a comprehensive range of services with leading technologies and products. In our laboratories we execute plastic-related tests for various applications.

Materials Testing Lab

The Laboratory for materials testing is responsible for the execution and the assessment of a large number of plastics-related tests. Our main task is to satisfy the demand of internal customers for testing and consulting. Due to our accreditation according to ISO 17025, we can offer our services also to external customers.

Parts Testing, Optimization and Joining Technologies Lab

We work on complex technical challenges in the field of plastics development and application. For this, a variety of test equipment as well as facilities for different joining technologies are available. We provide technical support for development and sales for all BASF sites and for customers worldwide.

Leichtbau Komfortsitz / Lightweight comfort seat

Product Support & Troubleshooting

With our calculation tools, information databases and FAQ we aim at helping you in answering technical questions related to our portfolio of performance polymers.

Infopoints

Contact our infopoints if you have questions about our plastic material. We are looking forward to receive your enquiry!

Ultrasim^®

Ultrasim^® is the versatile and flexible CAE competence for your innovations using BASF plastics. Our calculation of component concepts on a virtual basis starts with appropriate materials and adequate material models, ranging from the virtual prototype and ideal manufacturing process to the finished mass-produced component.

Tailor-made Solutions

Tailor-made for individual needs: We support our customers in developing application-oriented solutions.

Comfort, Health and Safety

Are you looking for an adhesive raw material for medical-technical applications or for a plasticizer for food packaging? We provide the appropriate solution for every need. Select a product from the below selection to find out more.

Cost Effectiveness

Plastics offer numerous advantages compared to other materials: With versatile application options they allow for great freedom of design and are also more cost-efficient than alternative materials. With our tools and many years of experience, excess materials and rejects have become a thing of the past.

BASF designfabrik® öffnet Wunderkammer / BASF designfabrik® opens the “Wunderkammer”

Individualization and Lifestyle

Here you will find customized material, processing, and design solutions for your needs. We will help you custom-design your products and distinguish yourself from others – with innovative solutions as varied as your customers.

Pioneering Concept Studies

We help you maximize your potential by creating application-oriented industry solutions. We collaborate closely with customers across various target industries, in order to tailor our solutions specifically to individual application needs. As a result, development is driven by local market needs and is coordinated globally.

Processing of Elastofoam^®

The following methods can be used for the processing of Elastofoam^®.

Elastofoam® I: A Combination of a Flexible Foam Core and a Compact, Tough Skin

Advantages of Elastofoam® I: