Chemical company BASF has announced that it has supplied high performance plastic Ultrason used for the reflectors in automotive interior lighting to automotive supplier Delphi.
Resists high temperatures, very transparent, easy to metallize and easy to demold: these are the properties of the high-performance plastic Ultrason¢ç E 2010 MR, a member of the PESU line (polyether sulfone) from BASF that has been optimized for mold release.
The Ultrason E 2010 MR is a polyether sulfone which helps in releasing the reflector from its mould.
The reflector is usually moulded through injection and is then metallized using aluminium through a process called physical vapour deposition. This process involves high temperatures of 180°C to 220°C. However, all the above processes make it difficult or impossible to release the reflector from its mould. Keeping these factors in mind BASF has come up with the Ultrason, which can withstand high temperatures for a long period of time. The material has high mould release properties and is very compatible with aluminium. The plastic is also transparent, due to which it can be used without being metallized. The reflector is produced by Germany-based Goletz.
BASF is operates through its 385 sites that are located around the world. The company provides various solutions that include engineering plastics, biodegradable plastics, poly-urethanes, beauty care solutions, Standard and specialty monomers, paper chemicals, Kaolin Clays, lubricants and fuels, construction chemicals, coatings for automotive OEM and refinish, industrial coatings, mobile and stationery emission catalysts, precious and base metal services. The company also invents new products and solutions in collaboration with BASF¡¯s global Verbund.