[Tech Update] SoForm with low emissions and excellent scratch resistance applied to industrial durable goods

Asahi Kasei Plastics North America commercialized and trademarked new engineered resins as part of their diverse Thermylene family. The Thermylene brand represents Asahi Kasei’s family of specialty chemically coupled glass fiber reinforced polypropylenes.

SoForm, a product of the Thermylene® family, features excellent scratch resistance with haptic surface feel and improved durability compared to competitors. The Soform technology also offers key benefits such as low gloss, low emissions, chemical resistance and structural performance .

Durability coupled with low gloss and improved haptic surface feel are key to interior performance and customer end use criteria now more than ever.The SoForm provides an attractive solution to meet these demanding requirements.

The SoForm product is available in 10%, 15%, 20% and 25% glass fiber filled grades. All are commercialized and available in either natural, color at the press or pre-colored for injection molding.

Automotive application areas for these novel grades include, but are not limited to, instrument panels, door panels and associated touch points (map pockets, console sides, mirror surrounds and seat trim).

SoForm also excels in the Industrial segment with applications such as furniture armrests and durable wear surfaces. The durability and haptic surface finish enable both automotive and industrial segments to provide customers with improved longevity and luxury.

Currently, soft touch paint, over-molding or a foam in place with skin has been required to meet these customer demands. SoForm is an alternative to improve the design, manufacture, logistics and value chain of the production process. As SoForm eliminates the needs to paint, over-mold or foam in place, it can provide additional cost-savings and eco-friendly options for the manufacturer.