A truck storage tray, produced from polypropylene (PP) by KraussMaffei using MuCell foaming technology. The foam reduces the density of the part, allowing it to become thicker and stiffer without adding weight. Foaming usually leaves surface marks as a result of the flow of the gas during moulding. It is most visible in black parts. The polymer is modified with additives to reduce the effect and surface texture added to eliminate the visual impact altogether. In this case, a textured in-mould label (IML) has been added to the centre (silver), completely concealing the black plastic beneath.
Airbag covers are typically injection moulded thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). The material must be robust enough to withstand daily use, but able to breakaway in a controlled manner when the airbag is deployed.
Interior automotive part in 100% recycled polypropylene (rPP). This grade from Burpol is optimised for both stiffness and impact strength, finding a balance between the two. It is only available in black or very dark colours.
An automotive door inner, produced from polypropylene (PP) using MuCell foaming technology. The foam reduces the density of the part, allowing it to become thicker and stiffer without adding weight. Foaming usually leaves surface marks as a result of the flow of the gas during moulding. It is most visible in black parts. The polymer is modified with additives to reduce the effect and surface texture added to eliminate the visual impact altogether. In this way, a monomaterial part is possible, without any coating or covering necessary.
An automotive door inner, produced from polypropylene (PP) using MuCell foaming technology. The foam reduces the density of the part, allowing it to become thicker and stiffer without adding weight. Foaming usually leaves surface marks as a result of the flow of the gas during moulding. It is most visible in black parts. The polymer is modified with additives to reduce the effect and surface texture added to eliminate the visual impact altogether. In this way, a monomaterial part is possible, without any coating or covering necessary.
A high impact transportation case for delicate electronics injection moulded with polyamide 66 plus 30% glass fibre (PA-GF30). The coarse sparked surface texture helps to conceal the visual impacts of the glass fibres.
A power tool housing injection moulded in 30% glass fibre reinforced polyamide 6 (PA-GF30). A combination of additives and surface texture help to conceal the visual impact of the fibres.
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.
Rotation moulded low density polyethylene (LDPE) surface. The embossed logo is cut into the surface of the mould and so reproduced directly into the part. The texture is created by shot blasting (steel bead) on the surface of the aluminium tool. The texture is adjusted by changing the size of steel bead and air pressure used in the process. The glossiness (and subsequently the colour saturation) is determined by the flaming process, which is carried out on the moulded part. Each one is processed separately by heating the surface with an exposed flame. It is often a manual process and so open to variation.
Rotation moulded high density polyethylene (HDPE) lid for a Thermos cooler box. The heavy texture, which is applied to the surface of the mould and reproduced in the plastic, helps to conceal moulding defects, as well as general wear and tear - PE is relatively soft and will scratch easily if bashed about in the back of a car and on the beach.
Climatex LifeCycle fabrics by Rohner Textil. These compostable textiles made up of wool and ramie, developed by MBDC (William McDonough and Michael Braungart), are the result of a long process of removing all toxic ingredients from the fibre production. Until then, Rohner Textil had been forced to treat product scraps as hazardous waste due to the use of problematic and hazardous dyes that were regulated in Switzerland.
The Citroën C4 Cactus, with large, air-filled cushion bumpers in contrasting colours on the sides, front and rear. Injection moulded in scratch resistant, weatherproof and UV durable BASF Elastollan, the bumpers are left unpainted. Image Citroen.
DEE Glass Pendant by Bønnelycke MDD for Nordlux, 2016, features a blown glass shade, etched (frosted) to diffuse the light and conceal the light source.
BASF Elastopan polyurethane resin (PUR) moulded directly onto fabric. Applied in footwear and protective clothing, for example, it offer excellent physical properties like flexibility, abrasion and hydrolysis resistance, durability and low density.
BASF Elastopan polyurethane resin (PUR) moulded directly onto fabric. Applied in footwear and protective clothing, for example, it offer excellent physical properties like flexibility, abrasion and hydrolysis resistance, durability and low density.
Expanded polypropylene (EPP) over-moulded with polyurethane resin (PUR). This type of direct coating, using a rubber-like PUR with texture, is used to create tactile surfaces for automotive interiors.
Sample of Roctool compression moulded polypropylene reinforced with recycled nonwoven carbon fibre (PP-CF40) to show print-though of fibre texture using various engraved Mold-Tech surface finishes.
Injection moulded talc-filled polypropylene (PP-T20) using a mould with a surface texture that faithfully mimics leather including stitching. PP is cost effective and helps to maintain a cohesive material theme throughout an interior, because it can be used unpainted in many parts. For example, instrument panel (dashboard), door panel and pillar covers, which are in contact with one another. It may be combined with foam injection moulding (such as Mucell) to create lightweight structural parts with a TPO foil skin for the tactile surface. Using materials with similar chemistry enables higher rates of recycling.
Direct-to-textile 3D printing by Stratasys. VeroEco Flex is a family of acrylic-based photopolymers, which are built up layer-by-layer on the surface of the textile. A strong physical bond is formed between the first layers and the fabric. These semi-flexible materials come in a huge range of colours and are available with a matte and gloss finish.
Direct-to-textile 3D printing by Stratasys. VeroEco Flex is a family of acrylic-based photopolymers, which are built up layer-by-layer on the surface of the textile. A strong physical bond is formed between the first layers and the fabric. These semi-flexible materials come in a huge range of colours and are available with a matte and gloss finish.
A shoe prototype design by Gruppo Meccaniche Luciani, 2015. The monolithic prototype was 3D printed using Stratasys PolyJet multi-material technology. Drops of photopolymer are jetted onto the build platform, then cured with UV lamps to bond layers. Support materials are dissolved or manually removed for the finished PolyJet model. Multiple different types of material can be printed simultaneously, ranging from rigid to flexible and transparent to opaque.
Cosmetic packaging prototypes using Stratasys 3D printed photopolymer based on polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), acrylic. With Stratasys PolyJet 3D printing technology it is possible to print Pantone colours and simulate materials like glass, wood and marble. Drops of photopolymer are jetted onto the build platform, then cured with UV lamps to bond layers. Support materials are dissolved or manually removed for the finished PolyJet model. Multiple different types of material can be printed simultaneously, ranging from rigid to flexible and transparent to opaque.
Beamshaper linear diffuser produced by PyraSied in clear extruded polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), acrylic, reflects and conceals the light source. It has a precise triangular linear structure - featuring peaks with a 90º profile - which means it reflects light perpendicular to the surface. As well as being utilised in novel diffusers, it is used for solar protection (to reflect sunlight).
Laminated fabric, bunched up using elastic thread stitched in a dot matrix pattern. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyester, fabric is laminated with a thin layer of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) to create a glossy waterproof top layer.
Forager mushroom leather by Ecovative, made with 100% mycelium and tanned to produce a durable textile, embossed to look like leather. Finishing can be achieved with heat, pressure, and bio-based chemicals rather than plastic coatings, with a wide variety of available options. Pure mycelium is readily biodegradable, but the chemical treatment steps might inhibit this biodegradability depending on the chemicals used. Currently being explored in apparel, footwear and luggage, there is great potential for these materials. Image Ecovative.
Forager mushroom leather by Ecovative, made with 100% mycelium and tanned to produce a durable textile, embossed to look like full grain leather. Finishing can be achieved with heat, pressure, and bio-based chemicals rather than plastic coatings, with a wide variety of available options. Pure mycelium is readily biodegradable, but the chemical treatment steps might inhibit this biodegradability depending on the chemicals used. Currently being explored in apparel, footwear and luggage, there is great potential for these materials. Image Ecovative.
Forager mushroom leather by Ecovative, made with 100% mycelium and tanned to produce a durable textile, embossed to look like full grain leather. Finishing can be achieved with heat, pressure, and bio-based chemicals rather than plastic coatings, with a wide variety of available options. Pure mycelium is readily biodegradable, but the chemical treatment steps might inhibit this biodegradability depending on the chemicals used. Currently being explored in apparel, footwear and luggage, there is great potential for these materials. Image Ecovative.
Reishi mushroom leather made from mycelium fungi manufactured by MycoWorks. It is available in natural, black and pebble embossed (pictured). Image Pol Rebaque, MycoWorks.
Leather processed from the skin of Tilapia (tilapiine cichlid tribe), a fresh water fish. Fish skin leather is a by-product of the edible fish industry. The texture of the leather depends on the size and shape of the scale pockets which vary from 2 to 20 mm depending on the species.
Huntonit textured ceiling and wall panels, produced in 900 kg/m3 fibreboard (hardboard) using the wet method. The surface has a wood grain effect texture embossed during production.
Swisspearl fibre cement cladding boards with various colours, finishes and textures. The main ingredients are cement, fillers, cellulose, synthetic fibres, colour pigments and water.
Swisspearl Natur fibre cement cladding in light grey with a smooth finish. The main ingredients are cement, fillers, cellulose, synthetic fibres, colour pigments and water.
Swisspearl Cembrit fibre cement cladding in light grey with a texture finish. The main ingredients are cement, fillers, cellulose, synthetic fibres, colour pigments and water.
Paper Island, Christiansholm, Copenhagen, by Cobe, due to be completed 2024. The facade is clad with a brick developed especially for the project by Petersen Tegl. Called the Christiansholm brick, it is made with Danish blue clay, water-struck moulded with a traditional bevelled indentation, with a layer of whitish clay on the surface to produce a whitewashed look after firing.
Paper Island, Christiansholm, Copenhagen, by Cobe, due to be completed 2024. The facade is clad with a brick developed especially for the project by Petersen Tegl. Called the Christiansholm brick, it is made with Danish blue clay, water-struck moulded with a traditional bevelled indentation, with a layer of whitish clay on the surface to produce a whitewashed look after firing.
Spot Material is a database of materials for sustainable design, curated by Rob Thompson. Compare properties, carbon and end of life, find better alternatives and discover new material innovations. Browse all materials
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