Basf Corporation

L Patrick Chang

Richard P Harrison

Joseph Ogonowski

Jon P Pavlinac

The aromatic polyurethane elastomers of the present invention are particularly suited for methods of making objects in a mold cavity. The objects generally include an elastomeric layer formed from an aromatic polyurethane and a foam layer which is subsequently applied to the elastomer. The aromatic elastomer of the present invention lends itself to being precoated with an in-mold coating or being painted after demolding the resulting part.

Decorative components having an elastomeric outer surface and methods of making such components

The method of the present invention is particularly suited for making decorative objects in a mold cavity. The method enables one to form a decorative component having an outer elastomeric layer that is integral with an inner layer of foam. Because the chemical formulation for the outer layer and the inner layer is identical, other than the inner layer includes a foaming agent, the decorative component does not suffer from the drawbacks of the previous methods such as, for example, poor adhesion between the elastomeric layer and the foam layer causing delamination of the two layers, sinks or holes in the foam layer leading to imperfections in the elastomeric layer, and bleed through to the elastomeric layer from the foam layer. The method permits the mold to be pre-coated with an in-mold paint prior to the molding process. Coatings can also be applied after demolding the resulting part.

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Flat Rock, MI, United States of America

L Patrick Chang