Jan 16 2007
Even outstanding suspension, first-class shock absorbers and four-wheel drive can’t prevent a bumpy ride when all-terrain vehicles are really "in their element". But passengers and drivers should also be able to enjoy long trips through open country in comfort. If they are to do this though, vehicle interiors need to be both robust and comfortable. Alongside other features of Suzuki’s Jimny model, four head restraints made from flexible polyurethane integral skin foam ensure a safe and comfortable ride.
The flexible foam components are manufactured by Linallac Foams S.L. in the Spanish city of Linares using Bayflex® K 5102 and Desmodur® PA 50. The supplier of these polyurethane raw materials is none other than the BaySystems Iberia polyurethane systems house of Bayer MaterialScience AG.
"Polyurethane soft integral skin foam is absolutely ideal for this application as the material offers great design freedom and can therefore easily be formed into a physiological shape," explains Dr. Noelia Mansilla, a Bayflex® integral skin foam expert at Bayer MaterialScience. "When used with a polystyrene insert and metal fasteners, the flexible foam core absorbs the impacts caused during very bumpy rides." The elastic polyurethane skin also provides a resistant, robust surface, and the excellent abrasion resistance of the head restraints ensures they offer a longer service life than, for example, products laminated with polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Furthermore, in contrast to textile coverings, the polyurethane skin can easily be cleaned with standard cleaning products - a major advantage, given the amounts of dirt and dust generated when crossing rough terrain. The Bayflex® system used for this application is available in black, gray, green, and other colors. As a result, head restraints can be decoratively designed to match the color scheme of a vehicle’s interior or bodywork.
Besides outstanding performance in practical applications, considerable advantages can also be found in the manufacturing process used for the head restraints. "The manufacturing process produces a molded part comprising a flexible foam core and an integral skin in just one step. This advantage, coupled with the fact that the product can be removed from the mold after just five minutes, ensures high-productivity manufacturing," comments Ana Ruiz, head of quality control at Linallac Foams. "This satisfies the automotive industry’s demand that high quality standards be achieved at low costs." The polyurethane integral skin foam head restraints were originally developed by Linallac Foams S.L. for the Anibal SUV also produced by Suzuki, and have already proven highly successful in practice.