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Interiors
The vehicle interior is evolving in design, layout, comfort, aesthetics and overall importance to buyers. Electrification is driving higher levels of autonomy and digital infotainment technologies are among the influencing factors. SABIC’s broad portfolio of specialty materials can assist OEMs and tiers address this intensifying focus on the interior, while helping to improve sustainability, cost control and manufacturing efficiency.
For example, the quieter engines of EVs could make interior noise – buzz-squeak-rattle (BSR) – more obvious. SABIC offers internally lubricated LNP™ compounds to help minimize BSR. Aesthetics are becoming more important as self-driving promises to transform the cabin into a relaxation and entertainment area. Occupants are demanding greater comfort, style and luxury. SABIC’s LNP™ SLX materials provide high gloss and piano black color, while LNP™ VISUALFX™ resins offer the latest colors and effects. Comfort and cleanliness can be enhanced with anti-static, anti-dust LNP™ STAT-LOY™ compounds and chemically resistant LNP™ ELCRES™ CRX grades.
As new digital technologies such as displays, sound systems, special lighting effects, automated climate controls and ADAS sensor systems proliferate in the cabin, OEMs require specialized materials to optimize their performance, accuracy and usability. SABIC offers visually opaque, IR-transparent ULTEM™ resins and LNP™ FARADEX™ compounds that provide EMI/RFI shielding. NORYL™ resins can improve speaker acoustics by providing superior dimensional stability, low moisture uptake and enhanced sound damping qualities.
While enhancing the cabin experience, SABIC’s LNP™ ELCRIN™ materials could also help OEMs address sustainability and economic objectives through technologies such as molded-in color to replace paint, the incorporation of recycled or bio-based content and high-volume manufacturing capability.
Featured Product Brands
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LNP™ & LEXAN™ Copolymer Resins |
Specialized copolymer resins offering superior performance and specific advantages vs. standard resins like polycarbonate (PC), such as high heat resistance, low temperature ductility, chemical resistance, high impact and weatherability. |
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LNP™ VISUALFX™ Resins. |
PC resins formulated with color and effects inherent in the pellet, avoiding the need for secondary painting. |
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LNP™ ELCRIN™ iQ Resins |
These PBT materials are chemically upcycled from discarded PET water bottles. |
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NORYL™ Resins |
Modified polyphenylene ether (PPE) resins featuring high stiffness and strength, and good hydrolytic, chemical and creep resistance. |
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ULTEM™ Resins |
Polyetherimide (PEI) resins known for exceptional heat resistance, high strength and stiffness, and broad chemical resistance. |
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LNP™ DMX Resins |
PC copolymer resins provide surface hardness without the need for hard coating, which avoids secondary operations and environmental impact from VOCs. These resins are candidates for transparent applications such as soft keys, infrared lenses, bezels and screens. |
Paint Replacement
Secondary painting can add time and costs to manufacturing and cause environmental impacts, such as VOC emissions and an overall increase in carbon footprint. SABIC materials that offer molded-in color capability avoid the need for painting while delivering attractive aesthetics and reducing CO2 emissions.
Featured Product Families
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LNP™ SLX Copolymer Resins |
are weatherable PC copolymers that react with UV light to form a self-renewing UV-resistant layer, and offer long-term high gloss, color depth, and good thermal and impact performance. |
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LNP™ VISUALFX™ Resins |
with colors and effects inherent in the pellet, make it easy to add the latest styling to interior components. |
Light Diffusion
LED lights used in interior applications such as backlit signage, displays and accent lighting can create hotspots or brighter areas, which cause uneven dispersions of light. Diffusion materials help to minimize the appearance of hotspots and provide uniform light dispersion. SABIC’s VISUALFX™ resins balance light transmission with hiding power to provide a consistent, appealing ambiance for consumers. Customized colors and effects enable designers to create signature looks.
Featured Product Families
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LNP™ VISUALFX™ Resins |
are diffusion grades of UV-stabilized, high-flow PC resin that combine transparency and eye-catching colors with light diffusing additives to address hotspots. |
Enhanced Aesthetics
Pleasing aesthetics in automotive interior parts contribute to a satisfying occupant experience and can provide a key differentiator for OEMs. High-value attributes include high-gloss surfaces, precisely matched colors, distinctive shades and effects and rich, highly saturated colors. To preserve an attractive surface appearance, materials need to resist scratching and abrasion. SABIC’s LNP™SLX copolymer resins offer high gloss and piano black color, while LNP™ VISUALFX™ resins are available in a wide range of trendy colors and special effects.
Featured Product Families
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LNP™ VISUALFX™ Resins |
are PC resins combining transparency with eye-catching colors and special effects. |
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LNP™ SLX Copolymer Resins |
are weatherable PC copolymers that react with UV light to form a self-renewing UV-resistant layer, and offer long-term high gloss, color depth, and good thermal and impact performance. are weatherable PC copolymers that react with UV light to form a self-renewing UV-resistant layer, and offer long-term high gloss, color depth, and good thermal and impact performance. |
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LNP™ DMX Resins |
are PC copolymer resins that provide surface hardness without the need for hard coating, which avoids secondary operations and environmental impact from VOCs. These resins are candidates for transparent applications such as soft keys, infrared lenses, bezels and screens. |
BSR Reduction
Buzz-squeak-rattle (BSR) noises can become annoying to vehicle occupants, especially in quiet EVs and hybrids. Buzz originates from the structure or part itself; squeak is caused by friction between parts; and rattle is caused by impact. SABIC’s LNP™ LUBRICOMP™ and LNP™ LUBRILOY™ compounds are formulated with different lubricants, such as silicone, PTFE and alloys. They provide excellent wear and friction performance (low COF) in moving parts to help minimize or prevent BSR. Internal lubricants avoid the need for secondary operations such as fabric applications or coatings. Potential interior applications include bezels, trim, center console slides and rails, gears, bearings, bushings and panels.
Featured Product Families
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LNP™ LUBRICOMP™ Compounds |
provide fine-tuned lubricity delivered through a broad range of lubricants, including polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), silicones, aramid fiber, graphite, molybdenum disulfide, and other additives, significantly reducing friction and wear rates of plastic parts moving over other surfaces, whether contact is plastic-on-metal or plastic-on-plastic. |
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LNP™ LUBRILOY™ Compounds |
are alloy compounds providing inherent lubrication via a unique, patented technology. These compounds offer cost-effective wear and friction performance without the use of PTFE lubricants. |
Chemical Resistance
To maintain the appearance and integrity of interior parts, materials used in high-touch areas or subjected to intensive cleaning solutions must provide excellent chemical resistance. Harsh cleaners and disinfectants, such as bleach and antibacterial wipes, can lead to environmental stress cracking, discoloration and dulling of high-gloss surfaces. SABIC’s LNP™ ELCRES™ CRX resins offer exceptional resistance to aggressive chemicals, including those used in personal care products such as sunscreen and lotions.
Featured Product Families
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LNP™ ELCRES™ CRX Copolymer Resins |
are PC copolymers featuring improved chemical resistance vs. standard PC or impact-modified blends, and available in thin-wall FR and bio-based versions. |
Increasing Autonomy
As automakers add technologies that support the goal of fully autonomous driving, cabins are transitioning from their traditional function to a place for entertainment and even remote work. The ability to use all types of connected, digital devices with high performance and reliability depends on specialized materials that can shield against electromagnetic interference and electrostatic discharge, provide infrared transparency and dissipate heat from smaller and more-powerful electronics. SABIC’s LNP compounds incorporate special additives and fillers to provide desired properties without the need for secondary operations.
Featured Product Families
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LNP™ KONDUIT™ Compounds |
are thermally conductive compounds that transfer damaging heat away from electronic devices into a heat sink or the surrounding air. |
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LNP™ STAT-KON™ Compounds |
are electrically active compounds that provide different surface resistivity levels from antistatic, through conductive, to EMI shielding. |
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LNP™ FARADEX™ Compounds |
are formulated with conductive fibers that provide EMI/RFI attenuation and electrostatic discharge. |