Applications for exterior
We create modern and durable car exteriors that meet both design and functionality requirements. From long-lasting coatings to plastics that enable lighter-weight materials. Our innovations improve the looks and quality of today's and future cars.
Glazing – sophisticated protection
BASF’s glazing products exhibit first-class mechanical characteristics, easy paintability, high temperature resistance and UV stability, so that glass does not become yellow and frames of sliding roofs are well maintained.
Frames made of Ultramid® (PA6, PA66, PA66/6, PA610, PA6T/6) can be stylishly thin and slide easily. The temperature resistant and UV-stable Ultradur® (PBT) keeps the frame of sliding roofs in good shape even when exposed to sun, rain or snow.
Lighting – reflecting the light
Plastic reflectors in headlamps are lighter and more cost efficient than those made of metal. They offer high temperature resistance while still maintaining design flexibilities.
The high-performance plastic Ultrason® (PSU, PESU, PPSU) reduces heat build-up using a new pigment system that absorbs visible light but lets heat radiation pass through.
For bezels, Ultradur® (PBT) is an ideal material when excellent surface quality and direct metallization are requested.
Front end – always in good shape
Ultramid® (PA6, PA66, PA66/6, PA610, PA6T/6) meets the high dimensional stability demands as well as legal requirements for safety insurance due to its rigidity and high-impact strength. Bumpers can be made from Elastolit®(PU), a rigid polyurethane with particularly high-impact strength. Inside, the energy absorbing bumper cores can be made from the foam Neopolen® (EPP) to make the car even lighter.
Coatings – keeping the shine
BASF offers a wide portfolio of innovative technologies and solutions for all four coating layers – from the e-coat to the primer, the basecoat and finally the clearcoat. These technologies ensure that the paint is resistant to the year-long high stresses caused by rain, UV radiation, hot and cold temperatures, gravel from the road, and the brushes at the car wash.
The innovative e-coat CathoGuard® 800 is the leading technology for automotive corrosion protection providing excellent material properties.
BASF has also developed an innovative clearcoat, iGloss®. The extremely tough clearcoat sets new standards in scratch resistance. It reduces the creation of annoying microscratches, like those that can come about at the car wash.
BASF also develops and markets automotive aftermarket products for a comprehensive portfolio of coating solutions. The automotive refinish coatings are approved by most of the leading automotive manufacturers and are used in their authorized bodyshops.
Carbody – doors to a new world
With BASF products, the production of automotive body parts is simpler and less expensive. The portfolio enables lightweight parts that are dimensionally stable, tough, and exhibit high-impact strength and stiffness. Simultaneously, they are especially suitable for use in parts exposed to sunlight and heat.
Door sills made from Elastolit® (PU) benefit from the plastic’s particularly high impact strength. Complex metal parts like lock covers and hinges are powder injection-molded with Catamold®, a mix of metal granules and the plastic Ultraform® (POM). This gives the parts the quality of forged components while the production is easier and less expensive.
Attached parts – always looking good
Attached parts produced with BASF products have an excellent surface quality, can be painted easily, and are extremely resistant to influences like sunlight or heat. Elastolit® D 8832 (PU) is easy to paint and has first-class mechanical characteristics. For example, BASF plastics help keeping mirror housings glossy and in place. For the inside mechanics and the mirror arms, the versatile engineering plastics of Ultramid® (PA6, PA66, PA66/6, PA610, PA6T/6) , Ultradur® (PBT) and Ultraform® (POM) are the materials of choice. They offer excellent mechanical properties and good design possibilities.
Window encapsulation – well framed
BASF offers the perfect adhesion for automotive glass encapsulation. The aromatic Elastolit® R 8919 (PU) provides a high-quality surface with tailored UV- and weather-resistance supporting the integration of various functions and reduction of process steps. Colo-fast® systems are convincing with a very high UV-stability, because they are based on aliphatic isocyanates.
Rear-bumper – weight reduction without compromises
Elastolit® (PU) enables thin lightweight components in vehicles without quality cuts.
Compared to conventional processing, the new process offers impressive weight savings.The usual component thickness can be reduced by less than 0.5 mm without having any negative impact on processing, quality or mechanical properties.
Protection films - a brilliant look
Applied to painted surfaces, this aliphatic TPU film protects against minor abrasion, splatters or stone chips. The Elastollan® (TPU) properties, though, guarantee a brilliant look of the paint.