This technical information has been contributed by
Trinseo
Click here to find suppliers

New Materials Reported to Meet Demands for Light Weight in Semi-Structural Auto Applications

BERWYN, Pa.–Trinseo, a global materials company and manufacturer of plastics, latex binders, and synthetic rubber, recently debuted its 85 percent long glass fiber (LGF) polypropylene (PP) concentrate product family for automotive semi-structural applications. ENLITE^TM PP LGF 1851 and 1852, the latest innovations in Trinseo’s ENLITE^TM structural polymers portfolio, are reported to offer "a step-change improvement over the previous industry benchmark of 60 percent LGF concentration."

"We know that lightweight is more than a trend in the automotive industry; it's a necessity," said Dagmar van Heur, vice president, Performance Plastics, in a press release. "We've also seen an increasing need for cost-effective semi-structural parts, and our new ENLITE^TM LGF 1851 technology is a direct response to these demands. It is the first structural polymer with an 85% concentration on the market, offering manufacturers a more advanced, robust, and affordable solution for today's lightweight needs."

The new ENLITE products are reported to have the highest glass fiber concentration (85 percent) of any PP LGF concentrate available commercially for automotive semi-structural applications, an attribute that enables lighter weight interior parts at lower total cost compared to steel and aluminum, Trinseo said. ENLITE products are developed for instrument panels, door modules, front-end modules, tailgates, and other interior and semi-structural applications that require a balance of dimensional stability, heat resistance, and weight optimization.

ENLITE^TM LGF 1851 and 1852 are now available globally and supported by a new production facility in Midland, Michigan. As part of the service offered with this product family, Trinseo's Application Engineering Development Center (AEDC) is available to support customers with material characterization for design engineering of their end-products, as well as to help them realize their lightweight objectives and the desired benefits in their physical products.