News Release

Terblend® N as solution for customized control panel housing

16.12.07

Frankfurt, Germany



  • Premium agricultural utility vehicle manufacturers select Terblend® N NG02 EF for control panel housings
  • INEOS Styrolution, the global leader in styrenics continues to offer customized high quality solutions for the automotive interior industry

Two premium agricultural utility vehicle manufacturers turned to INEOS Styrolution, the global leader in styrenics, for a material solution for control panels as an equipment variant in their machinery. The user-friendly handling as well as a high matte quality surface and excellent haptics were important requirements.

INEOS Styrolution’s Terblend® N product line is comprised of blends of ABS with polyamide. They are especially suitable for customers looking for a matte surface finish that does not require painting, and therefore is a cost-effective solution for automotive interiors.

For the requested control panels, the Terblend N NG02 EF grade was identified as particularly suitable. It is an 8% glass fiber reinforced UV-stabilized ABS/PA blend with enhanced dimensional stability, rigidity and high flowability. Glass-fiber reinforced grades such as Terblend N NG02 EF exhibit lower shrinkage and, as a result, higher dimensional stability. Despite the glass fiber percentage, it offers a high quality surface with matte appearance and excellent haptics. In addition, Terblend N NG02 EF has a very low moisture absorbance in comparison to polyamide.

The solution of one of the two manufacturers consists of a second component containing a certain amount of TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer).

“Apart from control panels, Terblend N NG02 EF is used for many automotive interior applications, for instance, for defrost vents. Other blends of INEOS Styrolution’s Terblend N are used for applications like loudspeaker grills, seat covers, or venting devices, depending on the respective requirements,” says Christophe Ginss, Sales Director Automotive with global coordination role.