Application of Electrostatic Coating Plastic Material on Front Fenders of Three Mitsubishi Cars in Japan
[Asia Economy Reporter Donghoon Jeong] LG Chem has applied an electrostatic painting plastic material that lightens vehicles to the exterior of Mitsubishi Motors. Electrostatic painting is a method that conducts electricity to paint (coating) and parts, using the property of static electricity to adhere color. It is eco-friendly due to the reduced amount of paint used and can apply color with a uniform thickness regardless of size or shape.
On the 10th, LG Chem announced that its electrostatic painting plastic material (product name LUCON TX5007) was applied to the front fenders of three Mitsubishi Motors sport utility vehicles (SUVs): the Outlander, Delica D:5, and RVR.
The front fender is an exterior part on the side of the car that covers the front tires. It protects the vehicle body from mud or water that may splash up from the ground while driving. Since electrostatic painting, which utilizes the adhesive property of static electricity, is mainly used for coloring car exteriors, the material must conduct electricity and withstand external impacts as well as the high-temperature paint drying process.
Typically made of metal, LG Chem made the front fender lighter by using electrostatic painting plastic. LG Chem combined polyphenylene ether (PPE), which can endure paint drying processes exceeding 200°C and has minimal warping, with impact-resistant polyamide (PA). Carbon nanotubes (CNT) were added to conduct electricity, creating the electrostatic painting plastic.
Front fenders made of electrostatic painting plastic can be painted together with the metal body in a single process (Online Painting), making it efficient. Additionally, replacing metal with plastic in vehicles reduces weight and improves fuel efficiency. The plastic fender is about 4 kg lighter than steel of the same size. This also reduces vehicle emissions, contributing to a decrease in the carbon footprint.
LG Chem’s electrostatic painting plastic can be applied not only to front fenders but also to exterior parts desired by automotive parts customers, such as bumpers, side mirrors, trunks, and fuel inlets.
Shin Jaemyung, head of marketing at LG Chem’s Engineering Materials Business Division, said, "LG Chem’s automotive materials are securing material reliability from automakers based on world-class quality. We will lead the next-generation materials market through high value-added materials supported by our technological capabilities."
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