Selection Criteria for Instrument Panel Retainer Materials

A systematic procedure for qualifying instrument panel retainer materials was developed. Conventional criteria for distinguishing material capabilities consist of studying physical properties measured from laboratory plaques of varying thicknesses. The evaluation procedure outlined in this paper includes analytical, physical, Theological, and processibility evaluation. The purpose of the laboratory tests and molding trials proposed is to provide a comprehensive set of selection criteria which will identify polymers capable of consistently producing high quality parts meeting mechanical and field durability requirements. Such parts can only be obtained if stable molding processes are realized. This requires an understanding of the variability introduced to the molding process by lot to lot variability of the raw material.