SABIC DEBUTS AT AUTOMOTIVE TECH WEEK 2021, Colorable, PTFE-free LNP™ LUBRILOY™ N2000 COMPOUND TO REDUCE BSR NOISE

SABIC, a global leader in the chemical industry, launched today at Automotive Tech Week 2021 LNP™ LUBRILOY™ N2000 compound, a new internally lubricated material that helps prevent buzz-squeak-rattle (BSR) noise in automotive interiors. Showcased here at the company’s booth (#330), the new LNP compound is based on an amorphous blend and offers both molded-in color capability and paintability. The proprietary, compatibilized olefinic alloy is free of silicone and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). By replacing standard PC/ABS with this innovative, drop-in material, automotive OEMs and tiers can significantly reduce friction and stick-slip behavior between molded parts to limit or prevent unwanted noise.

“A quiet, smooth ride is a hallmark of automotive quality and luxury, but cabin sounds can be more noticeable in electric and hybrid vehicles due to the absence of source noise from their powertrains,” said Ed Williams, senior product manager, LNP Compounds, SABIC. “Our new LNP LUBRILOY N2000 compound is highly effective at limiting buzz-squeak-rattle noise and eliminates the need for secondary applications such as felts or tapes. This latest material innovation helps our customers provide a more enjoyable driving experience for consumers.”

Excellent Wear and Friction Performance

SABIC’s proprietary lubricating technology is based on a fully compatibilized olefinic alloy. It enables the LNP LUBRILOY N2000 compound to deliver a low coefficient of friction (COF) and excellent wear performance in plastic parts moving over metal and plastic surfaces. When evaluated using the BSR test VDA 230-206, LUBRILOY N2000 compound demonstrated a risk priority number (RPN) of less than 3 versus non-modified PC/ABS materials that typically have values greater than 5. In addition to automotive interior parts – such as mirror housings and trim, cupholders, button guides and heating-ventilation-air conditioning (HVAC) frames – the new material can potentially be used in consumer electronics applications where reduced friction or improved wear is required.

Compliance with PFOA Regulations

In July 2020, the European Commission placed limitations on the amount of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts and PFOA-related substances that can be present in a material[ In addition to limiting PFOA, both European Commission Regulation (EU) 2020/784 of July 2020 amending Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2019/1021, and European Commission Regulation (EU) 2021/1297 of 4 August 2021 amending Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, placed limitations on the amount of perfluorocarboxylic acids (C9-C14 PFCAs) and their salts and C9-C14 PFCA-related substances that can be present in a material.]1. This industrial surfactant was commonly used during the production of PTFE. Suppliers now must certify that materials containing PTFE fall below the recommended PFOA threshold (<25 ppb)[ Suppliers now must certify that materials fall below the threshold (<25 ppb) for the sum of C9-C14 PFCAs and their salts.]2. With LNP LUBRILOY N2000 compound, manufacturers can now emulate the tribological performance of traditional lubricated materials while avoiding the use of PTFE and, therefore, any trace impurities from PFOA that may be present in PTFE.

Colorability for Stylish Interiors

To help designers create attractive automotive interiors, the new LNP compound offers molded-in color in custom shades that can be difficult to achieve with other commercially available compounds utilizing solid lubrication packages like graphite or molybdenum. Paintability is an additional feature of the LNP LUBRILOY N2000 compound and addresses the challenge often found with traditional silicone-based materials since the silicone oil can cause surface defects.

To further assist automotive designers, SABIC is also developing next generation lubricated LNP materials in stylish deep glossy black colors.

SABIC is exhibiting at its booth parts molded from LNP LUBRILOY N2000 compound and illustrating the material’s extensive color capabilities. The new LNP LUBRILOY grade is available globally.

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ABOUT SABIC

SABIC is a global diversified chemicals company, headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It manufactures on a global scale in the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Asia Pacific, making distinctly different kinds of products: chemicals, commodity and high performance plastics, agri-nutrients and metals.

SABIC supports its customers by identifying and developing opportunities in key end-use applications such as construction, medical devices, packaging, agri-nutrients, electrical and electronics, transportation and clean energy. Production in 2020 was 60.8 million metric tons.

The company has more than 32,000 employees worldwide and operates in around 50 countries. Fostering innovation and a spirit of ingenuity, SABIC has 9,946 global patent filings, and has significant research resources with innovation hubs in five key geographies – USA, Europe, Middle East, South Asia and North Asia.