Auburn Hills, Michigan -- Dow Automotive Systems is introducing its Autothane microcellular polyurethane systems to the Chinese automotive market in early 2012.
High-performance Autothane, based on hybrid polyols and MDI (methylene diphenyl diisocyanate) technology from Dow Hyperlast, has been specifically developed for management of impact, shock and vibration in chassis and suspension uses (spring aids and components to cut noise, vibration and harshness).
The NVH aids will be processed by Dow's licensee partner Kumpulan Jebco of Malaysia, and marketed globally by Dow Automotive Systems (DA). A new plant based in Yangzhou, China, part of an $8-million investment by Kumpulan Jebco, will start operating in February 2012. The plant will produce NVH components from Autothane, which has a largely closed-cell structure with an integral skin.
Dow says components made using the microcellular PU have "high abrasion resistance, excellent hydrolytic stability, resistance to microbial degradation, high damping characteristics and longevity of on-vehicle performance."
Design engineers have been making use of the unique mechanical and dynamic properties of high density microcellular polyurethane elastomers for many years, in suspension systems or vibration isolation uses, where they are known to improve vehicle handling, comfort and ride quality.
The Autothane team, which includes Dow Automotive Systems and Kumpulan Jebco, offers customers help in product design, prototyping, component characterisation, durability testing and validation.
The plant in China strengthens the Autothane manufacturing base which already exists in Europe, North America, India, Korea and Malaysia. The plant will be operated by Jebco, an Autothane processing licensee that has been serving the ASEAN market since 1996.
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