Polyurethane Automotive Systems

Polyurethane Automotive Systems Polyurethane systems, which we encounter in every aspect of our lives and prefer in daily use, are expanding their applications with each passing day. These systems are grouped within themselves according to their areas of use. Flexible polyurethane foam systems, one of these categories, appear in many sectors, primarily the furniture industry, insulation sector, and automotive sector. Molded sponge systems are mainly used in the automotive, furniture and medical sectors. These products, manufactured in different elasticities and different densities according to the variability of their processes and formulations, are suitable for use in head-neck supports, automotive and furniture seats, medical pillows and orthopedic products, and back support products. These products are shaped using high or low pressure machines with steel, aluminum or epoxy molds. These systems have a certain amount of elasticity and the ability to return to their original form. Additionally, these types of foam must have high elasticity, low permanent deformation, crushing with a certain amount of compression, tear-extension, tensile strength and fire-resistance properties. These values may vary depending on the sectors in which they are used and according to established standards. Filter systems are especially used in the automotive industry for the production of all types of air and oil filters. They are manufactured in different sizes and densities depending on the filter system of the vehicle to be used. Manufacturing is carried out in a wide range of hardness for end-user application convenience. Tear-extension and dimensional stability in products are determining factors in final product quality. The operation of products within a wide ratio range is another important feature provided to customers. Integral systems are suitable for the automotive sector (steering wheel, bumper), office furniture (armrest), medical sector, toy production and low-density different types of elastomeric part production. These systems are also used for sound and vibration insulation purposes. In integral systems, depending on the amount and properties of polyol and isocyanate used, foams with different hardness, density and elasticity can be obtained. The desired properties in these systems are regular pore structure and good skin. Their low density, in addition to good heat and sound insulation, provides numerous advantages including excellent energy absorption (impact resistance). In integral systems, insulation and impact resistance properties are provided through cell structures. The deformation mechanism of cells in the structure can distribute the energy of impacts in such a way that maximum forces remain below a certain limit. Differences occur in cell density, cell expansion rate, average cell size and cell type due to air bubbles distributed within the structure, and these differences affect the physical, mechanical and thermal properties of the product. For this reason, cell structure is an important morphological property. In closed-cell structures, cells are completely isolated from each other and consist of gas-filled voids, which provides lower permeability and good insulation properties. In open-cell systems, since air can pass freely within cells, a softer and more spongy structure is obtained. In these spongy structures, water absorption capacity is high and they can also be used as noise barriers. The primary goal in the automotive sector is to ensure passenger safety in the event of an accident, as well as a comfortable driving experience. During driving, vibrations caused by repeated oscillation movements that waste energy and cause unwanted noise impair users' driving comfort. In the event of an accident, unlike repeated oscillation movements such as vibration energy, sudden and severe shock energy occurs. As a solution to these problems, parts in vehicles such as head impact protection, knee impact protection, side impact protection, bumper pads, and bumper guards aim to convert kinetic energy such as vibration and shock energy into deformation energy. For this purpose, the impact-absorbing properties of integral systems are utilized in vehicles. Impact absorption testing in integral systems is conducted by dropping a weight with a certain mass and geometry from a certain height onto a polyurethane foam sample placed on a flat surface. Impact energy can be increased by using a larger mass or a higher drop height. Depending on their areas of use, integral systems are frequently designed in different densities and different hardness levels for impact absorption purposes. As Kobe Poliüretan, we design integral systems and other flexible polyurethane foams with various hardness and density levels, serving the needs of our customers from many sectors.     References 1. Polymer foams as advanced energy absorbing materials for sports applications—A review Márton Tomin, Ákos Kmetty 2. A vibration model of open celled polyurethane foam automotive seat cushions, Changki Mo   Gülhan Sarıgöl R&D Specialist Kobe Poliüretan