Today’s automotive manufacturers are searching for cost-effective, lightweight material solutions to meet government mandates for increased fuel economy and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. In recent years, the use of thermoplastic polyolefins (TPO) for automotive components has increased substantially due to their formulation versatility, cost-effectiveness and lightweighting capabilities, allowing for the replacement of metals. Syensqo’s range of UV light stabilizer solutions for automotive parts promotes longer lasting and more durable polymeric components.
Automotive polymers must be able to withstand harsh temperatures and consistent UV light exposure. To ensure performance and durability in automotive components, manufacturers can utilize UV light stabilizers that enhance thermal stability and extend service life.
How Do UV Light Stabilizers Work in Automotive?
UV light stabilizers are used broadly to protect polymers from photo-degradation in a wide range of markets, including automotive. Polymer additives enhance plastic components’ ability to withstand harsh environmental conditions. As automotive components often receive uninterrupted exposure to UV light, polymers used in parts like bumpers, door panels, door trims, instrument panels, airbags, seat back covers and body side moldings require stabilization to maintain physical and aesthetic properties. UV light stabilizers prevent the formation of microcracks and limit color fading so that components retain their essential physical and aesthetic properties.
Automotive Weathering Requirements
Automotive components are consistently exposed to harsh environmental conditions, such as sunlight, heat and moisture. These environments require materials that can withstand exposure to the elements and maintain high performance throughout service life. In North America, the Society of Automotive Engineers, or SAE, sets standards for interior and exterior automotive components establishing performance requirements in end-use environments. Exterior components, such as bumpers and taillight housings, must be able to withstand continual UV exposure and water spray without diminishing physical properties, according to SAE J2527. Interior components, such as instrument panels and airbag covers, are not exposed to the same water exposure tests as exterior components, but these parts must also be able to withstand prolonged exposure to UV light and higher temperatures according to SAE J2412. Advanced polymer additives, like UV light stabilizers, help plastic-based materials meet these stringent industry requirements and extend the service life of automotive components.
UV Stabilizers for Automotive Components
Although plastics are increasingly used to replace traditional materials, the challenging conditions in which automotive components are used require manufacturers to utilize UV light stabilizers to ensure the longevity and durability of polymeric components. Advanced UV light stabilizer solutions for automotive offer manufacturers additional benefits when used with polymers such as PP, TPO and TPE, including low VOC, low fogging and low odor properties.
Syensqo’s UV stabilizer solutions for automotive components help manufacturers replace traditional materials and meet lightweighting and fuel efficiency goals.
CYASORB CYNERGY SOLUTIONS® V703 is a UV light stabilizer for interior and exterior automotive components developed for materials including PP, TPO and TPE, with or without fillers or glass-reinforced systems. This complete solution for automotive OEMs provides excellent UV protection while offering additional benefits, including low VOC emission, low fogging, low odor, and no interference with paint adhesion. Suitable for automotive applications including bumpers, door panels, instrument panels, seat back covers, pillar moldings and door trims, CYASORB CYNERGY SOLUTIONS® V703 enhances automotive components and promotes reliable performance.
Syensqo also offers CYASORB® CYXTRA® V9900 automotive UV stabilizer for interior and exterior automotive components, which protects against UV light degradation in polyolefins, TPOs and their mineral and/or glass-fiber-reinforced grades. V9900 meets the industry’s stringent performance and sustainability requirements while delivering an improved cost-performance ratio versus competing solutions. Key properties include low VOC emissions, low fogging, low odor, and no interference with paint adhesion.
