Interior

The interior of a vehicle integrates complex demands of comfort, safety and operation.

The materials used not only have to meet technical requirements (e.g. in terms of rigidity and toughness), but very often they must also have an attractive finish color coordinated with the interior design. Ticona meets these diverse specifications with polymers such as Celstran® long-fiber reinforced thermoplastics (LFRT) (an excellent choice for highly stressed structural components in metal replacement) or Hostaform®/Celcon® acetal copolymer (POM) (an outstanding candidate for aesthetic interior trim and garnish applications such as loudspeaker grilles, seat release buttons, sun visor clips and door handles). Hostaform XAP POM also takes into account the need for odorless components. Celcon UV140LG POM provides an as-molded option for replacing painted applications where low gloss is critical (60 degree gloss of 2.5% or less) (an excellent choice for visible parts like loudspeaker grilles or seat release buttons).

The interior experts of Ticona draw upon expertise in interior-modules like Door, Cockpit and Seating Systems to help automotive designers meet all their requirements.

Door Systems contain devices such as window lifts, door-lock systems and audio speakers. Most of the functional components, like their supports, are usually made of plastics like Hostaform/Celcon POM and Celanex® PBT. Using Ticona’s engineering polymers, designers can further increase the degree of integration and lower costs (e.g. door module with Celstran LFRT).

Cockpit Systems require designers to pull together successfully elements like instrument panels, safety components, trim pieces and electronics. From instruments, to airbag systems and dashboards, Ticona offers materials, technologies, ideas and a deep expertise for integrated cockpit design.

Seating Systems combine comfort, safety and function in a very sensitive way for the passenger. By using Hostaform/Celcon POM for visible elements (e.g. seat release buttons or head rest sleeves), designers can integrate design and function. Functional parts (e.g. slide rails and seat rollers) are often made of wear-modified Hostaform/Celcon POM for low friction without grease and noise. Seat structures made from Celstran® and Compel® long-fiber reinforced thermoplastics (e.g. seat shells and back rests) are an alternative to metals for weight reduction and cost saving.