Xtreme Heat PC lights way to improved fuel efficiency
Canadian Plastics
In their all-important quest to shed vehicle weight and improve performance, while at the same time becoming more environmentally friendly, automotive lighting designers have found a new ally in GE Pl...
In their all-important quest to shed vehicle weight and improve performance, while at the same time becoming more environmentally friendly, automotive lighting designers have found a new ally in GE Plastics’ new Lexan Xtreme Heat (XHT ) polycarbonate (PC) resins.
According to GE Plastics, its XHT resins are lighter than many competing thermoset resins, allowing auto suppliers to reduce part weight for better fuel efficiency.
Additionally, XHT resins provide resistance to blistering, hazing, deformation and colour shift under temperatures of up to 200 degrees Celsius. This property helps automakers keep up with the recent trends of reduced space between the bulb and the lens, higher vehicle voltages and minimal incursion into the engine compartment.
And when used for bezels and reflectors, XHT resins allow direct metallization, eliminating the cost — and environmental impact — of pre-coating the part with paint or lacquer.
“[XHT ] resins not only address today’s tough auto lighting challenges, they also provide an environmentally responsible alternative to materials that can’t be recycled or require pre-coating before metallization,” Jim Wilson, global market director for GE Plastics’ automotive lighting division, said.
GE Plastics Canada (Mississauga, Ont.);
www.geplastics.com; 800-323-3783
