Feb 17 2006
Three new unsaturated polyester resin formulations now available from Ashland Composite Polymers, a business group of Ashland Specialty Chemical, a division of Ashland Inc., reduce weight and improve the painting characteristics of automotive composites. The new resins, available in one Class A and two low-density structural formulations, are the latest enhancements to Ashland’s AROTRAN® line of resins for the transportation industry.
“Our new formulations are the next generation of ‘tough’ resins,” said Cedric Ball, global market manager, Ashland Composite Polymers. “We achieved toughened Class A performance without sacrificing physical properties. This is also the first toughened resin in a low-density system offering tremendous weight savings to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).”
The new Class A formulation specific gravity measures 1.6, while the two structural formulations boast densities of 1.3 and 1.2. The Class A formulation provides excellent paint pop resistance, helps decrease scrap and lowers overall costs