Automotive/Mobility
Today, new technical developments are enabling the use of plastics in numerous automotive applications.
Growth of plastics in automotive applications has created an increased demand for effective additives for interior and exterior parts. Since vehicles are constantly exposed to environmental conditions that affect their mechanical properties and hence durability, resistance to weathering is a crucial requirement.
Thermal stabilizers protect plastics from oxidation caused by exposure to heat and help to prevent loss of mechanical properties and esthetic impairment. BASF‘s Irganox®, Irgafos® and Chimassorb® thermal stabilizers improve long-term thermal stability inside vehicles.
Light stabilizers help to maintain the appearance and mechanical properties of plastic parts. BASF’s Tinuvin®, Chimassorb® and Uvinul® light stabilizers, for polypropylene (PP), reinforced PP and PP / thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) provide protection against degradation caused by exposure to heat, light, water, and other environmental factors.
Exterior
Molded-in-color Thermoplastics Olefin (TPO) or Polypropylene (PP) parts benefit from the addition of Hindered Amine Light Stabilizers (HALS), which provides excellent light stability and contributes towards the long-term thermal stability of the polymer.
TPOs represent a material of choice for bumper fascia and exterior trim components such as cloadding, rocker panels and wheel flares.
PO-based materials are also under consideration for body panels. Exterior parts often feature molded-in-color to eliminate costs associated with painting.
Molded-in-color TPO materials are also moving into automotive interiors. PO instrument panels, TPO-based door and instrument panel skins, and seating components are also increasingly used.
Molded-in-color black parts made from filled PA-6 or PA-6,6 (e.g. for exterior trims such as door handles and mirror housings) show improved light stability by the addition of Hindered Amine Light Stabilizer (HALS) in combination with specially designed Antioxidants blends.
For formulations containing organic pigments, the use of the UV absorber can improve light fastness.
Door handles, door locks or exterior mirrors when made from PBT require the addition of a thermal stabilizer, light stability improved with a UV absorber.
Interior
The light stability of Polycarbonate (PC) / Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) blends can be enhanced by the addition of specially designed UV absorbers.
Light colored parts are more sensitive to color formation especially when exposed to combustion gases (gas fading).
BASF offers tailored solutions for non-discoloring process stabilization systems as well as light stabilizers, which provides excellent light stability and contributes towards the long-term thermal stability of the polymer.
Those products provide excellent retention of mechanical properties, low discoloration during weathering and low fogging.
Molded-in-color polyacetal interior automotive trim applications show enhanced light stability when stabilized with a combination of the UV absorber and a Hindered Amine Light Stabilizer (HALS).
Hindered phenolic antioxidants are typically used in combination with light stabilizers to provide processing and long-term thermal stability.
The light stability of molded-in-color polyamide interior automotive trim parts can be enhanced by the addition of Hindered Amine Light Stabilizer (HALS) in combination with specially designed Antioxidants blends.
For formulations containing organic pigments the use of the UV absorber can improve light fastness.
Polyurethanes (including Molded Foam / RIM PUR / Integral Skin PUR / Thermoplastic Polyurethane TPU, and spray PUR) are typically stabilized using a combination of a Hindered Amine Light Stabilizer, UV absorber, and phenolic antioxidant.
Where a liquid system is preferred, BASF offers tailored solutions with a combination of all three components in a single package. This system is also particularly suitable for interior applications requiring low fogging.
The stabilization of Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPE) or Thermoplastic Vulcanizates (TPV) can be complex depending on the polymer components and vulcanization chemistry.
BASF offers tailored solutions for light stabilization systems that can bring to these formulations excellent performance depending on the testing conditions and the required properties. The product line of BASF’s organic pigments provide for this application outstanding performance, good dispersibility, and good coloring value.
Under the hood
Combinations of a hindered phenolic antioxidant and a thioether provide long-term thermal stability of glass-reinforced polypropylene for automotive under-the-hood applications.
Combination of hindered phenolic antioxidants and phosphite provide long-term thermal stability of polyesters for automotive applications such as electrical connectors.
Specially designed hindered phenolic antioxidants provide excellent long-term thermal stability to polyacetal resins with good resistance to extraction by automotive fluids.
Plastics are extensively used for insulation, housings for electrical components, and in fuel systems.
They are conveniently stabilized against the high temperatures encountered under the hood with the range of antioxidants.
Special high temperature additives impart excellent long-term heat stability to polyamides that are finding increasing application in air intake manifolds and engine covers.