Decorative Finishes for Plastics in the Automotive Industry

Decorated plastics for automotive applications are fast assuming first-rank importance to designers because of outstanding properties such as crystal clearness, nonyellowing characteristics, high heat resistance, and better weather resistance. As first and second coatings, these physical and chemical properties portend the role of plastics as primary automotive materials. Constant research by the plastics industry is producing a stream of improvements and new products that have greater strength and are available at considerably lower cost than the metals they supplant. This paper describes the different kinds, the processes of their development, and the modes of application.