Opening the door on innovation
Launched in 2004, the Renault Modus is a compact yet spacious car featuring a number of innovative design features. One of these, a door within the tailgate door, known as a boot chute, is a deceptively simple concept, but its technical development demanded an original approach by SABIC and Renault’s supplier, InoPlastic Omnium.
Meeting mechanical criteria
The rigidity and strength of the boot chute door is very important, as it may need to bear weight during loading and unloading and it certainly needs to withstand impact during safety tests. SABIC® STAMAX 40YM242, containing 40% Long Glass Fiber (LGF), has proved ideal for the boot chute, as it offers high dimensional stability (low creep) across a range of temperatures, low warpage, and high inherent impact strength.
The material also has high dimensional accuracy in production and in use. This helps to ensure that the boot chute sits perfectly flush within the larger tailgate door, leaving no gaps and ensuring a close fit.
Looking good
While the outer door is painted to match the body color, the inner part, made of SABIC® STAMAX 40YM242, has to meet the car manufacturer’s stringent esthetic requirements for the interior of the vehicle. Color choice must remain flexible, and the part has to maintain its appearance whatever the weathering challenges it faces.
To meet this challenge, SABIC developed a natural SABIC® STAMAX 40YM242 grade, rather than the usual black. Then, working with masterbatch supplier PolyOne, SABIC enabled the grade to be pigmented in line with maximum retention of the mechanical performance of the composite. Careful modeling and development work has enabled the partners to supply a SABIC® STAMAX grade that provides flexibility of color while maintaining mechanical performance.
SABIC® STAMAX 40YM242 is also UV stabilized for this application, so that it maintains its surface quality and resistance to weathering throughout the life of the vehicle.
Renault has now used SABIC® STAMAX grades successfully in a number of its models – Megane, Clio, Modus, Trafic, and Master – for both exterior parts, such as front-end modules, and interior components.
Summary
Name: SABIC® STAMAX
Grade: SABIC® STAMAX 40YM242
Major features:
- Base material supplied as natural rather than black for subsequent coloration and esthetic flexibility
- Material exhibits the strength, high rigidity, and dimensional accuracy associated with all SABIC® STAMAX grades
- Simulation modeling and technical development with the production partner has enabled Renault’s innovative concept to become a reality.
