ABS/PC Blend Delivers Impact Performance in Plated Dashboard Trim

Stephen Moore | Jan 26, 2023

Galvanizadora de Occidente (GDO) Mexico, a Tier supplier of automotive interior parts in Mexico, has selected Elix Ultra HH4115PG from Elix Polymers for the chrome-plated dashboard trim of a premium electric vehicle (EV) on account of its superior chrome-plating performance. A high level of local technical support was very important for this high-requirement application, and this was possible thanks to the local support team and main distribution partner Corporación Telch.

Elix Ultra HH4115PG is an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene/polycarbonate (ABS/PC) blend with extremely high impact resistance, high heat resistance, and lower density than competing PC/ABS materials, which incorporate a higher content of PC, so that weight and cost savings can be achieved.

Thanks to its material properties and chrome-plating performance, the Elix Ultra HH4115PG fulfils the most stringent OEM specifications and has received several automotive OEM approvals. Accordingly, parts makers can use this material for various projects, particularly demanding decorative interior parts, radiator grilles, and also in some non-automotive industry segments such as consumer goods.

Elix Polymers offers a wide product portfolio for chrome-plated applications. Elix ABS P2MC is a well-known material with numerous OEM approvals; HH P2MC is recommended for those applications that require greater thermal resistance; and Ultra HF4200PG is an ABS/PC blend with high flowability to injection-mold complex parts and reduce cycle times.

Further, E-Loop Ultra HH4115PG CR is a grade based on chemically recycled raw material that has equivalent properties to the prime material but can significantly reduce the environmental footprint of the final product. All these grades have special formulations dedicated to electroplating process requirements to ensure Class A surfaces.

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