At a trade press conference held in advance of K 2007, BASF took advantage of the opportunity to introduce their latest innovations that are to be presented to visitors to K. As far as the automotive sector is concerned, there are a number of features on offer. The spectrum ranges from a glass-fibre-reinforced PBT/ASA blend for hard-soft combinations to an impact-modified, mineral-filled, partially aromatic polyamide for online coatable car parts. In our next issue (Polymotive 09+10/2007), we will be looking at what BASF can offer in the field of simulation methods.
Entailing only minor limitations to design freedom, the Dolphin method (see Polymotive 05+06/2006) works considerably faster and more cost-efficiently than conventional methods. As a result, panelling that is soft to the touch and that has an upscale appeal is now available for automobile classes that until now had only been fitted with coated, hard injection-molded parts. The Dolphin method can create various fine, leather-like surface structures using Ultradur S as the material.