Automotive orientated exhibits in Stuttgart included resin for blow-molding applications, a chrome plating grade for exterior and interior door handles and a conductive grade.
'Innovation in New Components Technologies' was the theme of the GE Advanced Materials exhibit at the European Automotive Components Expo (EACE) at the Messe Stuttgart this week. GE took part in the expo with a broad spectrum of raw materials, innovations, and solutions. GE's participation in the European Automotive Components Expo showcased the company's new material innovations for components, delivered through leading technologies and featuring a full range of traditional applications such as mirror housings and spoilers, along with newer applications like roof racks, running boards, and wipers.
The new material technologies being introduced are the latest grade of Noryl BN9003G resin for blow-molding applications (i.e spoilers); new Geloy XTW resin for mirror housings, appliques, trims, and grilles; Xenoy X4000BM resin for running boards and step assists; Cycoloy CP8930 resin, a chrome plating grade for exterior and interior door handles, running boards, wheel covers, grilles, roof racks, and trim components; as well as conductive Noryl GTX resin for tank flaps allowing on-line electrostatic painting.
GE's Visualfx special effects resin also helps automotive components stand out from the crowd with a designers' paradise of over 34 different effects and over 33,000 dynamic color variants, loadings, and derivatives to contrast.
The newest grade of Noryl BN9003G resin can help manufacturers produce blow-molded spoilers with lower system costs by means of maximised efficiency in manufacturing via reduced sanding time.
Thinner wall capability with equal performance along with higher heat performance, tensile and impact strength, and coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) vs.
high heat acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) also help manufacturers with reducing their system costs.
This new grade may also provide lower odor and improved chemical resistance to gasoline and diesel fuel that can potentially cause damage to spoiler surfaces.
The spotlight falls next on Geloy XTW resin, which is a key solution for paint elimination and part of the GE ecomagination series of products designed specifically to help customers meet environmental concerns.
Geloy XTW resin offers best-in-class weathering, multiple color capability, high gloss and jetness to help OEMs reduce their dependence on paint solutions.
Hence this GE grade can help OEMs achieve cost savings from the elimination of paint operations.
Visualfx resins add a new dimension to the design of both interior and exterior car components.
Rich colors and special effects come straight from the mold, thereby eliminating the need for more costly painting and coating operations.
Furthermore, unlimited opportunities for product differentiation help manufacturers to attract new customers and conquer niche markets.
The constantly evolving Visualfx resins portfolio, featuring Lexan, Cycoloy, Geloy, Xylex, Xenoy, and Cycolac resins, is regrouped into five families of colors and special effects.
Whether it is metallic, warm yellow, down-to-earth brown, or dynamic red, automotive customers can rely on a consistent, high quality finish that can potentially replace paint applications.
Another new material is high-heat, conductive Noryl GTX resin, which enables on- and in-line painting, while eliminating the need for a conductive primer.
It can also provide improved paint transfer efficiency (reduced volatile organic compounds (VOCs)/sludge), cycle time reduction, and improved quality over comparable materials.
Noryl GTX resin is an excellent choice for tank flaps, providing automotive manufacturers a cost-effective, on-line painting solution vs off-line painting.
It also offers low warpage, dimensional stability, reduced environmental impact, and higher overall quality compared to traditional materials.
Another GE introduction is the chrome-plating grade Cycoloy CP8930, which is poised to respond to new trends: * Continuing growth in grilles and trim applications for trucks and SUVs.
* Greater use of chrome in luxury cars.
* Growth in the use of wheel covers and wheel trim.
* Increasing complexity of plated nameplates.
* Exterior door handles with bigger impact and heat requirements.
* New applications including roof racks and running boards.
Addressing increased performance requirements for heat resistance and stiffer OEM standards, Cycoloy CP8930 resin is providing a strong and durable solution to trendier metallic looks.
Unique, chrome-plated vehicle components made of Cycoloy CP8930 resin, which provide shine and gloss, enable vehicle consumers to differentiate themselves from their peers.
The final offering in the portfolio of top new GE solutions is Xenoy X4000BM resin for blow molded running boards or step assists.
Xenoy X4000BM resin solutions offer superior hang strength and processing windows along with excellent regrind stability/usage.
The Xenoy resin solution was designed to meet critical specifications for Asian OEMs such as significant weight reduction vs steel beams, excellent impact and toughness, and cost savings via improved parts consolidation, in contrast to conventional steel systems utilized today.
The new GE grade can also be utilized in recreational vehicles, a growing market sector for GE.
* Differentiated state-of-the-art components - 'The market for differentiated, state-of-the-art components in Europe is expected to continue growing at an above-average rate over the next few years,' said Venkatakrishnan Umamaheswaran, market director, Components, GE Advanced Materials.
'This is particularly true for newer thermoplastics resins offering premium features with superior performance'.
'GE Advanced Materials is determined to further strengthen our position in this growing segment'.
'We are investing in new technology and state-of-the-art production facilities in Germany, India, and China so that we can participate in the strong growth markets of Asia/Pacific and Eastern Europe.' High quality thermoplastics with high gloss and reduced VOC content - and reduced paint and primer solutions - are becoming increasingly important in Europe and globally.
Comparisons with other materials show that these new systems meet or even exceed today's high quality standards for the production of components.
GE's introduction of paint-elimination solutions reflects the company's commitment to innovative and environmentally compatible products.
* About GE Advanced Materials - GE Advanced Materials is a world leader in providing high-technology material solutions.
Headquartered in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, USA, its businesses include plastics, silicones, quartz, automotive, specialty film and sheet, polymershapes, and sealants and adhesives.
GE (NYSE: GE) is Imagination at Work - a diversified technology, media and financial services company focused on solving some of the world's toughest problems.
With products and services ranging from aircraft engines, power generation, water processing and security technology to medical imaging, business and consumer financing, media content and advanced materials, GE serves customers in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide.