Dow Automotive has developed a new and innovative ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) resin which provides a low-gloss finish with superior scratch and mar resistance while enabling weight reduction in parts design and production. This new material was developed to be produced as "mass ABS" using Dow's proprietary continuous production process which helps keep manufacturing costs down.

ABS is characterised by its superior impact resistance and stiffness over a wide temperature range and excellent scratch and mar properties. It is often used for interior applications in the automotive industry because of its durability and long lasting aesthetic effects. The major disadvantage of traditional ABS is an undesirable high gloss level, even in moulded-in textured parts. To compensate for the high gloss level, ABS parts are usually painted, or PP (polypropylene) is used as an alternative material. Painting ABS parts usually means high additional application costs, while PP is known for its poor scratch and mar resistance.

Dow Automotive's new ABS resin, available in both regular and high heat grades, addresses these disadvantages. This new material has demonstrated its ability to achieve equivalent or lower gloss levels in textured parts when compared to commonly used PP products. At the same time, it provides superior scratch and mar resistance and an improved flow and impact balance. Together with high stiffness over a wide temperature range, these properties enable production of thinner walled parts which results in reduced weight, one of the most requested deliverables of the automotive industry.

In the past, attempts to develop low gloss ABS were achieved through adding production steps and/or other resins. This has typically led to expensive material and/or production modifications. Dow Automotive's new ABS resin was developed as a "mass ABS", a production process known for its unique consistent material properties and its commercial competitiveness: Dow's proprietary mass process helps keep production costs down and eliminates the need for processing aids. As a result, the ABS resins combine a highly consistent colour with superior lot-to-lot consistency, giving processors a wider range of appearance options without compromise on colour tolerances.

Dow Automotive is a leading supplier of plastics, adhesives, sealants and other plastics-enhanced products for interior, exterior, under-the-hood, vehicle body structure and acoustical management applications. The organization serves global tier, OEM and aftermarket customers. With offices and application development centers around the world, Dow Automotive provides materials science expertise and comprehensive technical capabilities to its customers worldwide. For additional information about Dow Automotive products and services, visit www.dowautomotive.com. Dow Automotive is a business unit of The Dow Chemical Company.