New Polypropylene Composite for Automotive Instrument Panels

Reinforcing filler materials used with polypropylene for automotive instrument panel applications are changing from talc to glass. Recently, an improved polypropylene composite material has been developed that successfully overcomes concerns associated with warpage.

A brief development history of this new material is reviewed. In addition, a summary of design considerations to be addressed when using this material for automotive instrument panel applications is provided.