New waterborne binders from Bayer provide aesthetics and comfort in automotive interior

Bayer MaterialScience is offering new waterborne binders for production of cabin in automobiles. A key advantage is that it reduces the amount of organic solvents that are presented during the production process or when added to the coating to improve adhesion.

"Our latest generation of waterborne Bayhydrol polyurethane (PU) dispersions does not require these cosolvents. Nor are they required for coating formulation - corresponding starting formulations are available," says Dr Jan Weikard of Bayer.

Bayer will present its Bayhydrol A 2845 XP to the market for the first time at the European Coatings Show, to be held in Nuremberg, Germany from March 19-21.

As said, coatings based on this polyacrylic dispersion are particularly resistant to sunscreens and other chemicals. They also exhibit high gloss and tend not to yellow, not even through exposure to heat and light.

"The new dispersion is thus very well suited for single-coat or two-coat decorative finishes," says Uwe Klippert, a Plastics Coatings expert at Bayer. Formulators of the company can combine the product with PU dispersions to adjust the flexibility and adhesion of the resulting coatings.

The waterborne dispersions Bayhydrol U XP 2698 and Bayhydrol U XP 2757 are able to give plastics a surface that is soft, warm and pleasant to the touch, and several auto makers are already using them in volume production, according to Mr Klippert.

The acrylic component Bayhydrol A 2227/1 and the polyurethane dispersion Bayhydrol U 2841 XP can be combined to formulate single-coat comfort coatings that satisfy the exacting requirements of the automobile manufacturers. The former is responsible for the resistance and good adhesion, the other product for feel and flexibility, adds Bayer.