ASA/PA compounds optimized for surface appearance, tactile properties

For several years now the surface quality of components made of Romiloy ASA/PA blends supplied by German compounder Romira GmbH has been a key factor for customers placing their trust in these products. The recent development of a special ASA/PA compound is a continuation of this trend.

This Romiloy product group is distinguished by its appearance and tactile properties on structured surfaces without any need for subsequent painting, its balanced technical properties and its exceptional chemical resistance.

Components made from Romiloy ASA/PA, such as interior panels, column claddings, seat belt exit trims as well as belt guides covers and child safety components, have long been an integral part of automotive interiors. The material demands are extremely high, particularly for belt guides, which often have highly complex component geometries and the need to meet very stringent safety requirements. In addition to increased durability, a high level of dynamic load-bearing capacity must be guaranteed, while at the same time meeting optical and haptic requirements. The Romiloy 3020/11 ASA/PA blend, which is already used in series production, fully meets these specifications and is among the materials most suited to this type of application.

Romiloy ASA/PA blends are said to be ideal for use in components with large surfaces or, for example, for loudspeaker grilles. The reproduction accuracy of the given surface is outstanding. Retaining this quality even after several days of series production without time-consuming tool cleaning is a major advantage.

As is well known, polyamide-containing compounds tend to form deposits depending on the tool geometry, sprue configuration, flow path conditions, grain geometry, residual moisture in the material, etc. These leave traces in the tool during production and impair the surface quality of the components.

As a result, the tools must usually be cleaned regularly. However, Romira's current development is an ASA/PA compound that allows components to be produced in the injection molding process for longer periods of time than was previously the case and without the formation of such deposits

The insights gained during the development of this compound provide the basis for the further development of other PA-based Romira blends. Romira thereby provides its customers with a decisive contribution towards the optimization of the injection molding process.