Automotive
Aurora Material Solutions provides a variety of formulations that supply automotive OEM and aftermarket customers, including rigid and flexible ABS, ASA, FPVC, PC, PC/PET, PC/ASA, PEI, PBT, PC/ABS, PC/PBT, TPO, TPE, SBS and SEBS compounds. Our extensive line of products includes:
- SBS and SEBS compounds utilize multiple TPE chemistries to impart high-performance properties for durability and easy processing. They range from clears to low gloss black glass reveals for roof ditch and under hood applications. There are hundreds of metallic body match color approvals, and all of these compounds are offered in both molding and extrusion grades.
- AuroraGuard ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) can be used for many decorative elements inside the car, including the glove box, threshold assembly and water tank mask. AuroraGuard ABS combines the strength and rigidity of the acrylonitrile and styrene polymers with the toughness of the polybutadiene rubber and is extremely heat resistant.
- Our AuroraGuard PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) is an engineering polymer that is thermoplastic, semi-crystalline and a type of polyester. PBT provides excellent chemical resistance, shrinks very little during forming, is mechanically strong, heat-resistant up to 150°C (or 200°C with glass-fiber reinforcement), and can be treated with flame retardants to make it noncombustible. It is often used in automotive applications, including bumpers, tailgate outer panels and door handles.
- AuroraGuard PC/ABS provides impact strength, heat resistance, colorability, very good aesthetics and dimensional stability. These compounds are also available in a recyclable grade series, which are filled with specialized fillers, minerals, or glass. These grades exhibit a superb combination of thermal and mechanical properties, excellent impact strength, high heat resistance, dimensional stability, great processability, flame retardancy, and a wide range of viscosities. AuroraGuard PC/ABS is ideal for automotive interior applications.
- AuroraGuard CPE (chlorinated polyethylene elastomer) alloys are a more economical solution that don’t have to sacrifice performance for a lower price point. CPE is produced by chlorination of polyethylene, with chlorine content ranging from 15 to 30% by weight. CPE has excellent physical and mechanical properties, such as resistance to oils, chemicals, and improved thermal properties. CPE polymers can also exhibit better compression sets, flame retardancy, tensile strength, and abrasion resistance, and can range from rigid thermoplastics to flexible elastomers, making them highly versatile.
- AuroraGuard PC (polycarbonate) compounds are amorphous, thermoplastics that possess outstanding impact strength, excellent colorability, and superior heat resistance with good electrical and thermal properties, low- temperature toughness, and superior dimensional stability. They can be provided unfilled or filled with specialized fillers, mineral or fiberglass reinforcement. PC compounds are available in flame-retardant grades (both non-halogenated and brominated), a wide range of melt viscosities, and can be offered with recyclable PC content and ultraviolet (UV) stabilized grades for outdoor weatherable applications. The polycarbonate (PC) product family complies with FDA (Food and Drug Administration), REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals), NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) and UL listed (UL 94).
- AuroraGuard PEI (polyetherimide) compounds start from the base resin, amorphous polyetherimide, which is an amber-to-transparent thermoplastic with characteristics similar to the related, much more costly plastic PEEK. Our PEI compounds are inherently flame resistant and provide a high resistance to elevated temperatures and solvents. Compounds within the AuroraGuard™ PEI family provide high mechanical property performance in continuous use environments to 340°F (170°C). Their toughness and rigidity can be further enhanced with fiberglass reinforcement.
- Aurora Material Solutions also has AuroraTec PC/PBT (polycarbonate/polybutylene terephthalate) compounds made from alloys of amorphous polycarbonate and the semi-crystalline polybutylene terephthalate resin. They offer good chemical, impact and heat resistance, as well as outstanding aesthetic and processability characteristics. AuroraTec PC/PBT has Impact-modified grades that can provide a high level of impact strength at low temperatures. Impact-modified AuroraTec PC/PBT grades can provide a high level of impact strength at low temperature. There are also flame-retardant grades (both non-halogenated and brominated), glass filled grades, and UV (ultra-violet) stabilized grades for painted applications like automotive body panels.
- AuroraTec PC/PET (polycarbonate/polyethylene terephthalate) also offers excellent mechanical, thermal and chemical properties, making it suitable for a wide range of military applications. They are also known for their durability and resistance to chemical, weather and UV exposure, making them suitable for harsh and demanding military environments.
- AuroraShield™ PC/ASA (polycarbonate/acrylonitrile styrene acrylic) compounds are the result of alloying these two amorphous thermoplastics to take advantage of the polycarbonate’s toughness and the UV and moisture resistance of the terpolymer ASA. These compounds offer impact strength, heat resistance, colorability, very good aesthetics, and excellent weatherability. They can be provided unfilled or filled with specialized fillers, mineral or fiberglass reinforcement. Because they provide good outdoor UV stability with better stiffness and impact, AuroraShield PC/ASA compounds are ideal for mirror housings.
- AuroraShield ASA (acrylonitrile styrene acrylic) is an amorphous compound designed to provide outstanding weather resistance. Similar to acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) in mechanical properties, ASA provides excellent ultraviolet (UV), water whitening and stress crack resistance. These grades exhibit low heat build-up, good flow, good aesthetics, impact strength, toughness, flame retardancy, dark color weatherability and a wide range of viscosities. This series also has recyclable and environmental-friendly products. It can be processed using compounding.
- Unlike rigid PVC, AuroraFlex™ flexible PVC is a cost-effective alternative to our thermoplastic elastomers. These compounds provide flexible PVC from 35A to 95A Shore A durometer* to semi-rigid, with specific gravities ranging from 1.15 to 1.65. We use various types of compound additives to promote plasticity and flexibility to meet specific needs, such as renewable non-phthalate, improved low temperature tolerance and biocides. When you’re looking for a compound that offers high-abrasion resistance and excellent processing properties, AuroraFlex SL is designed to produce longer-lasting materials, with no tearing.
- AuroraFlex SBS-SEBS (styrene-butadiene-Styrene or styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene block co-polymers) have many of the same properties as vulcanized rubbers, but can be molded and extruded using conventional thermoplastic process equipment. Thermoplastic processing provides advantages over vulcanized, thermoset rubbers which are processed using a slower and more costly curing process. Most of our TPR formulations are 100% recyclable and are RoHS compliant.
For automotive exterior trim, we have a full color development program with more than 100 base compound and color approvals for:
- GM-GMT900, GMT800 & GMT201
- Daimler-Chrysler-DR, HB, ND, RS, BR, BE & PT44
- Ford Motor CO C170
Our compounds are developed by a professional R&D staff with many years of experience in the automotive field. We will work with you to determine the formulation that best meets your needs.
* NOTE: Durometer hardness is measured with a calibrated durometer using the Shore Type-A scale in a room of consistent temperature. The indenter is inserted for 15 seconds to determine if it passes the ASTM D2240-Durometer Hardness test for the desired durometer.
