Paint substitute

Paint substitute

Keywords: GE Plastics, Thermoplastics, Resins

GE Plastics is developing a new thermoplastic polymer for exteriors that may eliminate the need for painting exterior body panels. The company declined to give many details about the developmental thermoplastic, known as W4, but said that it is an amorphous resin and is not an alloy.

GE Plastics, based in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, said the polymer is new to the company's portfolio - not part of its existing Noryl polyphenylene ether resin family, which is often specified in automotive body panel and exterior trim components. The company said it applied for about a dozen patents on the resin, which it plans to commercialise fully by 2002. It expects the price to be above $2 per lb.

The initial focus of the polymer will be on exteriors, truck tonneau covers,RV panels, watercraft, and agricultural equipment. Key properties of the resin are extremely high gloss with depth and colour after outdoor weathering,excellent resistance to petrol and other chemicals, and good scratch resistance.

Although GE Plastics said that the W4 polymer is being considered by automakers as a possibility for future applications, it has not yet been specified by any automaker for a vehicle.

The materials no-paint aspect could eliminate paint solvent emissions and paint spraying. GE Plastics said that the new polymer represents a significant step in eliminating paint operations, including clear coat. The first commercial offering will be in the form of a film or cap layer, followed by subsequent introduction of several injection moulded grades.