A New Method of Producing Interior Trim Using a Light-Stable Polyurethane Skin

This paper describes a new and exciting breakthrough for the production of high quality, cost effective coverings for automotive instrument panels, interior door panels, consoles, headrests and glove box covers. The COLO-FAST☉ SPR polyurethane spray in-mold skinning process, has been developed for the manufacture of non-cellular, light-stable, integrally colored elastomers. These elastomeric skins are typically 0.5-2 mm in thickness. Backfoaming of these skins with conventional polyurethane foam is done by methods well known to the polyurethane industry. The COLO-FAST SPR polyurethane process includes both modified light-stable polyurethane chemistry and equipment designed and modified to accommodate the particular needs of this technology. This process requires a two-component chemical system with particular reactivity and viscosity properties to allow the use of a new design airless spray gun. Robot automation is used to provide speed and reproducibility.