ABSTRACT
Bayer Corporation has been engaged in extensive development of high-density structural RIM (HDSRIM) materials during the past several years. This paper addresses HDSRIM technology from its infancy as butnper beams to its present maturity as full-size pick-up truck composite boxes and tailgates. This paper also discusses implementation of the HDSRIM technology to those areas beyond the present applications.
Recent technology developments have enabled the manufacture of large composite parts, and this paper focuses on the development work surrounding the composite pick-up truck box. Other current applications are touched upon and there is a detailed comparison of HDSRIM to competing technologies via technical process descriptions. Also, new technologies for the production of HDSRIM parts are presented and compared. An HDSRIM market growth potential is provided as a culmination of the paper.
