Mercedes-Benz Spoiler Adopts ABS Option

Beijing Beiqi Mould & Plastic Technology (BMPT), a leading supplier of automotive exterior parts for premium OEMs, has selected Elix Polymers ABS H801 for the spoilers of the new Mercedes-Benz GLA and GLB series. The decision is based on an intensive collaboration between BMPT, Mercedes-Benz, Sinochem, and Elix Polymers.

An acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) grade modified with polycarbonate (PC), Elix ABS H801 has a number of advantages that make it suited for the manufacture of spoilers. These include stiffness, heat and impact resistance, and excellent paintability. The material’s density is 4% less than the PC/ABS grade that was previously used in this application, enabling important weight reductions.

Both the tensile modulus (2400 MPa) and flexural modulus (2300 MPa) of Elix ABS H801 are higher than many PC/ABS grades with a greater percentage of PC content. Its impact resistance — a Charpy notched impact strength at 23°C of 30 kJ/m² — is in the highest range of an ABS grade. Thermal resistance is rated Vicat B50 of 105°C.

The performance of the Elix ABS H801 material in glue joint assembly, together with its mechanical properties, enable use of the same material for both exterior painted parts as well as reinforcement interior parts.

Since all parts are manufactured with the same material, processors benefit from savings on inventory and investment. By using glue joints to assemble the parts, further cost savings are achieved, as there is no need to purchase sophisticated and expensive vibration welding systems. Moreover, at the vehicle’s end of life, the entire spoiler part can be treated as one single piece of PC/ABS, without the need to selectively separate the parts.

A roof spoiler is one of the largest components of a vehicle and has a complex geometry. This aerodynamic part is designed to deliver an outstanding mechanical performance and it needs to have aesthetic appeal, as it is considered one of the key elements that defines the line style of the entire vehicle. The selection of a material that fulfills all the requirements of this application, therefore, is a crucial decision for the manufacturer, said BMPT.

Elix ABS H801 is approved for many global automotive OEMs and has been used in several demanding exterior and interior applications.

In 2022, Elix also developed a more sustainable version called Elix E-LOOP H801 MR, which contains mechanically recycled feedstock to help reduce the environmental footprint.