DuPont™ Minlon® Ensures Surface Quality for BMW

21-Mar-2002

March 21, 2002 — Takata-Petri, the Japanese-German company that makes the steering wheels for the BMW 3-series of autos, is using DuPont™ Minlon® mineral- reinforced nylon resin to mold the wheel's silvery middle spoke. The striking feature, which is painted in some versions and metal-plated in others, creates a visual link between the wheel rim and the airbag cover in the hub.

According to Takata-Petri, injection-molded parts made of Minlon® readily accept paint or plating. Minlon® avoids creating sink marks on the visible face of the spoke. The resin also ensures no sharp fragments are formed if the airbag deploys and the cover impacts the spoke.

Minlon® is widely used for automobile wheel covers and interior door handles, which look and feel like metal. Due to its resistance to fuels, oils and salts, it has also long been used for other auto parts, including gas tank covers.

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