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Direct Coating Technology for Improved Piano Black Appearance and Scratch Resistance

Journal Article
2018-01-1350
ISSN: 1946-3979, e-ISSN: 1946-3987
Published April 03, 2018 by SAE International in United States
Direct Coating Technology for Improved Piano Black Appearance and Scratch Resistance
Sector:
Citation: Nummy, A., "Direct Coating Technology for Improved Piano Black Appearance and Scratch Resistance," SAE Int. J. Mater. Manf. 11(4):261-265, 2018, https://doi.org/10.4271/2018-01-1350.
Language: English

Abstract:

In this article, a new method for achieving piano black appearance is discussed. Using a technique called Direct Coating, developed by Covestro, components have been produced with a smooth, high-gloss surface, which demonstrates improved scratch resistance and the ability to recover from minor scratches. For this development project, the Hyundai Santa Fe exterior door trim was selected due to the simple geometry and severe performance requirements. This allowed for optimization of molding conditions and comparison of the performance to the current production part. The prototype part demonstrated improved surface quality compared to paint, and passed car wash, chemical, and weathering test specifications. In addition to addressing quality issues, this method offers cost savings by eliminating the traditional painting process, which is expensive due to long cycle time, multi-step processing, and emissions regulations. Furthermore, this technology can be adapted to other substrate materials, different coating colors, and varying surface finishes such as matte and textured patterns within the same mold.