Typical application of PPTD20 in automotive interiors
With the continuous growth of automotive lightweighting and cost control needs, PPTD20 has become one of the most widely used thermoplastic materials in the automotive interior field with its excellent rigidity-toughness balance, good dimensional stability and economy. From instrument panels to door panels, column trim panels to vent grilles, the penetration of PPTD20 is increasing in both local and JV-branded production models.
Typical Use Cases: Dashboard Skeletons & Trims
The instrument panel is one of the most complex and functionally intensive components in automotive interiors. PPTD20 is widely used for structural parts and internal skeletons such as the center control frame of the instrument panel, the air outlet base, and the cup holder base. Taking a mainstream independent brand A-class car as an example, its instrument panel skeleton uses PPTD20 material. Compared with the ABS material used previously, the cost of a single piece of material is reduced by about 25%, and the injection molding cycle is shortened from 45 seconds to 35 seconds, and the production efficiency is increased by 22%. In addition, the low gloss of the PPTD20 and the ability to uniformly replicate the skin lines allow the instrument panel to achieve a satisfactory appearance without painting.
Use Case: Door Panel Lining and Storage Boxes
The door inner panel assembly usually contains multiple injection molded parts, in which PPTD20 is widely used for the door inner panel body, map bag (storage box), armrest skeleton, etc.The door inner panel of a Japanese joint venture brand uses PPTD20 material, which is combined with the soft plastic or cladding skin process to achieve sufficient structural rigidity while ensuring good touch. The wall thickness of the map bag part is about 2. 0mm-2. 5mm, and the service life of the cantilever beam snap under the wall thickness of PPTD20 can meet the requirements of 100,000 times opening and closing of the whole vehicle.
Use Case: Column Panel (A/B/C/D Column)
Column trim is the most mature segment of PPTD20 used in automotive interiors. A/B/C/D column panels generally require materials with good rigidity (to prevent press deformation), good dimensional stability (even clearance with body sheet metal), and low odor and VOC emissions. PPTD20 comprehensively outperforms PP + EPDM-TD formulated soft materials and outperforms ABS in these areas. The B-pillar upper and lower decorative panels of a German high-end SUV use PPTD20, which is combined with the mold etching process to achieve almost the same level of visual texture as fabric-coated decorative panels, while reducing weight by about 15%.
Key points for selection of automotive interior materials: Analysis of advantages and disadvantages of PPTD20
Advantages: (1) Good rigidity-toughness balance, talc powder provides rigidity without significantly reducing impact strength like glass fiber; (2) low shrinkage and controllable anisotropy, which is conducive to dimensional stability of large-size thin-walled parts; (3) low odor and low VOC characteristics, which meet the increasingly stringent VOC control standards of the host factory (such as PV3900, VDA278, etc.); (4) excellent skin pattern replication, which can achieve soft touch and even imitation leather texture effect; (5) obvious cost advantage, which is 20% -40% lower than the price of ABS, ASA, PC/ABS, etc.
Disadvantages: (1) Limited heat resistance, long-term use temperature generally does not exceed 110 ℃, can not be used in high temperature areas such as the engine compartment; (2) surface hardness is lower than ABS, easy to be scratched by hard objects; (3) welding strength (vibration friction welding, ultrasonic welding) is not as good as reinforced PA or ABS.
Process matching suggestions for PPTD20 interior selection
Before determining the use of PPTD20 for mass production of automotive interior parts, it is recommended to consider the following points in the early mold design stage: The shrinkage rate is 1. 0% -1.2% reserved; gate position should be set in thick-walled area or non-appearance surface as far as possible; sufficient release slope should be reserved for the design of the skin line depth, 3° -5° is recommended. At the same time, pay attention to the control of shrinkage fluctuations between batches of materials, and it is recommended to verify the actual size of mold samples when feeding each batch.
Taken together, PPTD20 is the leader in the "standardization" of automotive interior materials, and has basically formed a monopoly position to a certain extent in mainstream price models. However, it should be noted that with the higher requirements of electric vehicles for NVH and the preference of medium and high-end models for soft-touch materials, PPTD20 may need to be used in conjunction with processes such as foam layers and cladding.
