Covestro debuts in-process coating for greater freedom of design in vehicles

Covestro will be showcasing the prototype of a new design for a steering wheel cover using its DirectCoating/DirectSkinning technology at K 2016.

This development features a wide range of colours, surface structures and tactile properties that can be reproduced on the same component from a single mould using DirectCoating.

The coated component is produced in a two-component mould using a two-stage process in an injection moulding machine. Having undergone injection moulding in the first cavity, the plastic substrate is then transferred to a second cavity that is one coating layer thickness larger.

The solvent-free coating system is injected into this mould via a RIM (reaction injection moulding) mixing head. This creates a polyurethane-coated component with outstanding properties that requires virtually no post-processing.

“Compared with conventional combination of injection moulding and subsequent spray coating, the integrated process offers great potential for reducing logistics effort, energy consumption and space,” said Dr. Johannes Scherer, Head of Covestro’s DirectCoating/DirectSkinng programme.

Find them - Hall 6, Stand A 75