ELIX Polymers has Obtained Approval from OEMs

ELIX Polymers has obtained approval from a premium Automotive OEM for their anti-squeak materials.

ELIX Polymers has developed specialized grades of ABS and PC/ABS to address the issue of squeaking and rattling sounds produced by plastic parts in contact with each other, leather, PVC-foil, or other products.

These unwanted noises can negatively impact driver comfort and perception of car quality. With the increasing popularity of electric and hybrid vehicles, which generate less noise from their powertrains, Automotive OEMs are increasingly requiring anti-squeak materials for critical interior components such as door handles, armrests, seating parts, sunroofs, cupholders, and air vents.

Several ELIX products have received approval from a reputable German Automotive OEM and will be utilized in future vehicle manufacturing.

The materials underwent stick-slip tests according to VDA230-206 at Ziegler Instruments, yielding highly favorable results. A 10-point scale was used to assess the risk level, with a score of 1 indicating the lowest risk.

The newly developed ELIX grades achieved a score of 1, demonstrating minimal risk. The tests were conducted at different forces (10°N, 40°N) and speeds (1°mm/s and 4°mm/s) under various temperature conditions. Particularly noteworthy results were obtained after subjecting the materials to heat aging, as the risk typically increases for standard non-modified materials.

The new grades utilize ELIX Polymers’ base polymers, including standard ABS, high heat ABS, ABS/PC, or PC/ABS. As the key properties of these materials remain unchanged, existing OEM approvals for ELIX grades are unaffected.

Additionally, the materials exhibit consistent shrinkage, allowing the use of current molds without the need for further modifications. These products offer significant cost savings as they eliminate the requirement for additional felts, tapes, or grease to reduce squeaking and rattling sounds after injection and assembly of parts.

This development is the result of ELIX Polymers’ close collaboration with leading Automotive OEMs and their strategic focus on specialized value-added materials and tailored solutions.

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