Senoplast Senosan high impact acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) co-extruded with thermoplastic elastomer (TPE-TPS) and thermoformed into an automotive interior component. While the ABS provides impact strength and rigidity, the TPE contributes a tactile and durable surface.

Audi loud speaker grille made with LYB LyondelBasell CirculenRecover 50% post industrial recycled (PIR) acrylonitrile butadiene styrene blended with polyamide (rABS-PA). It has properties very close to that of virgin polymer for this application.

The Tesla Model 3 features Tabu wood veneer, dyed to look like walnut, laminated onto an injection moulded carrier. The instrument panel (dashboard) consists of an injection moulded structure, soft foam layer and durable surface foil. The materials for this type of dashboard are typically polycarbonate alloy (PC/ABS) carrier, polyurethane resin (PUR) foam, and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) foil.

Cross section through an automotive instrument panel (dashboard) featuring BASF Elastoflex polyurethane resin (PUR) foam. This is a safety critical part of the design, as well as important visual and tactile aspect, sitting in front of the driver. In must be able to tolerate some demanding conditions - temperature extremes, direct sunlight and heat through the windshield - while maintaining its appearance for the life of the vehicle. They are made with various material technologies, such as with unpainted polypropylene (PP), or as is the case with higher spec vehicles like this example, using PUR foam between an injection moulded structural carrier and tactile surface foil. The foam bonds the carrier, which is typically PP or polycarbonate blended with acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (PC/ABS), to the surface foil to create a smooth profile with soft touch feel. Surface foils include thermoplastic olefin (TPO), and slush moulded thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Image BASF.