Thermoplastic Elastomer Technology Developments for Automotive Exteriors

Polymeric materials are being used in increasing amounts on the exterior of automobiles because of weight reduction, corrosion resistance, design flexibility, and cost effectiveness. A variety of applications, including fascia, bumper covers, cladding, and rocker panels, require materials with a demanding and broad range of properties. In this paper, the needs of these automotive application areas and advancements in the thermoplastic elastomer based technology to satisfy these needs are described.