BASF: Elastolit® enables thinner and lighter vehicle components

♦ Significant weight reduction of body panels with optimized PU-RRIM composite Elastolit® R 8819 lightweight material

♦ The first components to be successfully used in series production

♦ Close cooperation between STR Automotive and BASF is key to success

BASF and STR Automotive are working together for the first time in series production of luxury car parts using the new lightweight material Elastolit® R 881 Compared to traditional PU-RRIM material processes, this new process significantly reduces part weight, reducing part thickness from typically 3mm to less than 5mm without adversely affecting processing, quality or mechanical properti.

Reduce weight with Elastolit®

The front and rear bumpers of small cars are generally made of short-fiber reinforced polyurethane system (PU-RRIM) with a wall thickness of 3 .

To this end, BASF and STR Automotive carried out in-depth exchanges and cooperation, and proposed a technical solution to solve this problem, that is, using high-modulus PU base material with high temperature resistance, high stiffness and good impact streng.

Jürgen Schneider from the Technology Development Department of BASF Polyurethanes GmbH in Lemförde explains: "The improved properties of the base material allow designers to produce significantly thinner parts without compromising quali.

Work together for success

Guiseppe Monaco, Key Account Manager, SpA Performance Materials, BASF Italy, said: "The successful launch of this new product is inseparable from our close cooperation with STR Automoti.

In the first series of parts made with Elastolit® R 8819 lightweight material, the weight per square meter of surface area has been reduced by 600 gra.

The Italian expert in the field of automotive interior and exterior trim also believes that the material has great application prospects due to its higher temperature stabili.