Largest ever panoramic roof module made of silicone hardcoated polycarbonate for new smart fortwo roof

Siliconehardcoating AS 4000 from Momentive Performance Materials, formerly known as GE Bayer Silicones, provided its specialized characteristics ranging from weathering resistance, scratch resistance and chemical resistance to the specially constructed Polycarbonat-Roof module for the innovative smart fortwo.. Currently this is the largest polycarbonate roof module (1.2 square metres) fitted in a production line vehicle anywhere in the world. Because the roof element is made of silicon-hardcoated plastics the weight saving is considerable – in fact, it weighs more than 40 percent less than a comparable glass module, and provides excellent surface quality.

The new Momentive Performance Materials hardcoated Polycarbonate Roof, created by Webasto in cooperation with Bayer MaterialScience, helps to save fuel and to reduce CO² emissions for smart fortwo. The manufacturer of the roof is Webasto AG, one of the leading manufacturers of convertible systems, roof modules and thermo systems for the automotive industry. The roof is made by a two-component injection-compression molding process on a swivel-platen injection-molding machine, followed by a coating step.

This improvement in weight reduction not only helps to save fuel, it also means that the verhicle´s center of gravity can be placed as low as possible, thereby improving its handling and agility. The weight saving, the design freedom and the possibility of integrating functions like fixing elements into the vehicle were most important factors for Webasto. The close cooperation between all participants on this project, was a key strategic success factor in the development of this new roof module. This is another step in the trends for panoramic roofs and more and better design freedom.

“This design freedom is clearly visible next to the smart fortwo solution, in another application demonstrated by the usage of Siliconhardcoats AS 4700 for the spoiler of the new Honda Civic. Innovative and high value hardcoat solutions in the area of car and design will generate more and more creativity for designers and will beat in future standard material solutions”, said Dr. Frank Wiesenberger, Market Develop Manager, at Momentive Performance Materials responsible for Hardcoats.

Press Contact Momentive Performance Materials

Momentive Performance Materials GmbH
Robert Scheib
Communications Leader EMEA & India
D-51368 Leverkusen
Germany

Phone: +49 (0) 214 30 4 05 32
Cell Phone: +49 (0) 172 2 47 53 93
E-Mail Robert.Scheib@momentive.com
Website Information: www.momentive.com

Momentive Performance Materials – Business Overview

Momentive Performance Materials was created from the sale of GE Advanced Materials and its former Joint Ventures GE Bayer Silicones and GE Toshiba Silicones to Apollo Management, L.P. in December 2006. Momentive is the world’s second-largest producer of silicones and silicone derivatives and a global leader in the development and manufacture of products derived from quartz and advanced ceramics. Silicones are a multi-functional family of materials used in thousands of products and serve as a critical ingredient in many construction, transportation, personal care, electronic, consumer and agricultural uses.

Silicones are generally used as an additive to a wide variety of end-use products in order to provide or enhance certain of their attributes, such as resistance (heat, ultraviolet light and chemical), lubrication, adhesion or viscosity. Some of the most well-known end-use product applications include bath and shower caulk, pressure sensitive adhesive labels, foam products, cosmetics and tires. Our Quartz division manufactures quartz, specialty ceramics and crystal products for use in a number of high-technology industries, which typically require products made to precise specifications.

These materials solutions are used as springboards for innovation in hundreds of consumer and industrial applications ranging from car engines to biomedical devices to integrated circuits. Industries served include aerospace, agriculture, appliances, automotive, construction, electronics, furniture and furnishings, healthcare, home care, industrial, lighting, packaging, personal care, plastics, semiconductor, telecommunications, tire, transportation, and water purification.

World Headquarters: Wilton, Connecticut
President & CEO: Jonathan Rich
Number of Employees: Approximately 5,000
Revenue in 2006: $2.5 Billion
Website information available under: www.momentive.com

This release was published on openPR.