Application of Formable and Self-Skinning Polyurethane Foams in Headliners

The initial function of headliners in automobiles was to conceal the rough appearance of the exposed roof construction. As the roof construction evolved towards solid metal, the requirements for headliners grew to include acoustic and styling properties.

Today, fiberglass-based headliners have the major share of the North American market in high and mid-line vehicles. However, there is a recent trend to find substitutes for fiberglass headliners because of their skin irritation effects on assembly workers.

Headliners based on formable and self-skinning polyurethane foam have gained wide acceptance in Europe as an alternative to fiberglass. This paper discusses the different PUR processes involved and the characteristics of the finished headliners produced with these PUR foams.