Lemforde, Germany – BASF used it time at UTECH Europe to show how its polyurethane portfolio can help Tier 1 and 2 suppliers make components for OEMs.
Covering engines with polyurethane
Drinking in vibration, engine covers play a vital role.
The company took engine covers as an example. These are important, they absorb noise ensuring good acoustics in the passenger compartment. Engine covers also protect the engine from heat and hard, sharp-edged objects.
BASF said processors can make engine covers in a single shot using integral skinned foam made from the company's Elastofoam I material.
BASF said that the open-cell PU foam forms a thick skin in the foaming process. The textured mould imparts an aesthetic surface to the component and the surface skin also protects the engine.
Alternatively, BASF said that its the Elastoflex W flexible foam can be used, in an in-mould-coating process or it can be combined with a separate PU spray skin.
The company said that this can be done in a single step without manual input. The skin is sprayed into the mould and then back-foamed.
In addition, an engine cover with thermoformable Elastoflex E foam was went into series production with the Treves Group. The open cell foam structure has a density 15 kg/m3 and contributes to weight savings.
