To check the quality of the first developed basic lacquer samples were applied on different plastic substrate testpanels.
Fundamentals for requirements technical properties are the test requirements of the automotive specifications.
In preliminary tests the resistance against UV-radiation of some basic lacquer recipes (from ECCS, DuPont) without any fibres was performed to choose the best basic coat. The results were fine.
In a first test loop, the lacquers were applied on different plastic substrates. Particular tests were performed to determine the influence of film thickness and plastic material to paint adhesion and the emission of condensable components. All results of adhesions, fogging condensates and abrasions were fine.
In the second test loop the influence of different surface effect additives (different fibres, rubbers) were checked.
EDAG examined the results of adhesion, abrasion and the fogging condensate.
The adhesion on PC is fine, on ABS is marginal; the fogging results are all fine, the abrasion test for PA-powder-surface is fine. For Rubber-, Pelt-feel- and PU-Powder results are not very fine.
After finishing the test procedures of Loop3 a modification of the lacquer formulation was necessary, because of process ability by automatically spray guns. The lacquer was optimized in consideration of the fiber length and Fiber concentration by DuPont.
Therefore an new test loop was necessary! (i.e. Testloop 4)
Because only the length of the fibers a no chemical modification was performed by DuPont, not all tests had to been performed. All odour-, fogging-, C-emission- and formaldehyde test were ignored. Reason: the length of fibers does not influence this measurement results.
A typically climatic change test (VW PV 1200) and because the painted surface represents a borderline case between paint and textile an additional abrasion test (Taber) was added in the test matrix.
Main result: the quality of this formulation is very close to these of test Loop3!
Main achievement of the last two Testloops 3+4: the most requirements of the automotive industries will be complied by the FFLIC-painting system!
At the same time the development project and the facilities of the new product was presented on the ¿International Motor Fait (IAA; Frankfurt, 09. -21. Sept. 2003). Feedback: the new lacquer will be a very interesting material with a high grade of technical application and design freedom. For the stylists the material will be more a alternative for felt than for flocking.
The technological properties of the FFLIC-system meet the most requirements of the automotive industries. It will be a very interesting new material with a high grade of stylistic freedom.
Also the very important fact of health is reached, that no single fibres will be emitting when the painted surface is by abrasion or scratching.
The main project benefit and the potential use is represented by the capability of checking the development of new plastic and polymer products in respect with technical possibilities and properties, above all related to the stylists feedback to the surfaces appearance and optics. In fact there will be cooperation with EMTEC, Heidelberg, Germany, company specialized in electronic microscopy for the study of surface effects, quality of fibres in lacquer-matrix, analysis of surface damage effects after different function and abrasion tests, to develop a better synergy with the end user requirements.