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Blow Molded Reinforced High Density Polyethylene for Structural Applications

1983; Linguagem: Inglês

10.4271/830077

2688-3627

Don L. Peters, Radosław Kowalski, J. K. Hughes,

Polymer crystallization and properties

The first reinforced high density polyethylene blow molding compound with engineering properties has been developed by Phillips Chemical Company in a two-year joint program with Fisher Body Division of General Motors and Ford Motor Company. Chemically coupled mica, compounded with a Marlex high molecular weight high density polyethylene copolymer, results in a material having dramatically improved stiffness at both room temperature and elevated (180 deg F) temperatures. The high rigidity of this material has allowed reduced piece weight and significant cost savings in three automotive seat back panel and load floor applications. A full width seat back weighing about half of a metal frame is now being used in the Chevrolet Camaro, Chevrolet Z28 and Pontiac Firebird. A split seat back version is standard in the Pontiac Trans Am. Ford has realized impressive cost savings using a large mica reinforced high density polyethylene load floor in their Escort EXP and Lynx LN7 cars. The success of these blow molded applications has spawned promising development work in thermoforming and sheet compression molding processes.