TROY, MI — Delphi Corp. has created a new skin for instrument panels, consoles and other vehicle interior surfaces.
Delphi’s Slush Cast Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO) skin gives vehicle cabins a luxurious look and feel at a substantially lower cost than traditional sprayed urethane technology.
Slush Cast TPO Skin is the newest addition to Delphi’s interior skin portfolio and is the best method for vehicles with complex styling features. Delphi continues to offer an array of interior skin materials and a variety of application methods to suit every type of vehicle style.
“This advancement in skin technology will have a significant impact on the future of automotive interiors,” said Lon Offenbacher, business line executive, cockpits and interior systems and integrated closure systems, Delphi Thermal & Interior. “This high value innovation offers our customers, quite simply, superior appearance and performance at less cost than alternatives.”
The Material TPO offers benefits beyond those of traditional polyvinyl chloride (PVC). TPO is highly recyclable and can be molded to color, which eliminates the need for painting. Its pliability prevents cracking and splintering in the skin when an airbag deploys in cold weather. Coupled with its ability to produce seamless tear seams, TPO is compatible with Delphi’s hidden airbag door technology. .
According to James Giardino, director of engineering, Delphi Thermal & Interior, to the company’s best knowledge, there is only one other Slush Cast TPO product on the market today and it is significantly higher in cost and requires painting.
“This represents a significant accomplishment for our engineering team. Our research and development of TPO skin has made us a leader in this material and process technology,” Giardino said.
Delphi’s Slush Cast TPO Skin is scheduled to make its debut on a major 2008 North American sport utility vehicle. Delphi presented a technical paper on the technology titled “Development of a Slush Molded TPO Instrument Panel Skin” at the Society of Automotive Engineers 2005 World Congress in April.
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