Technical Paper
LD-SRIM III: Progress in Lower Density Foam Composites
1994-03-01
940702
Low density structural RIM is a well established process that is used to make polyurethane foam matrix composites for automotive interior trim substrates. This technology has gained this position because these substrates are high in quality, durable, and most importantly, light weight. A vehicle equipped with low density structural RIM door panel substrates will save about 40% of the substrate weight, over one equipped with substrates made from thermoplastics or other traditional materials. Low density reinforced RIM is a similar process that is used to make polyurethane foam matrix composites for interior trim substrates. These composites will save about 15% of a door panel substrate weight. Since saving weight is a goal for the automotive engineer, low density structural RIM systems have been developed to produce even lighter weight composites.