New Bayer polycarbonate film grade answers market need for durable, scratch-resistant surfaces

PITTSBURGH, April 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- In addition to being functional, automotive instrument panels must be resilient enough to withstand frequent use over a vehicle's lifetime. Recognizing this, automakers and Tier 1 suppliers are seeking more durable and scratch-resistant surfaces. To answer this need, Bayer MaterialScience LLC is introducing a formable polycarbonate film that offers good scratch and weathering resistance.

Makrofol^® SR 906 polycarbonate film is a clear, transparent film with a gloss-gloss surface finish. It is capped with a functional acrylic layer that includes an ultra-violet (UV) protection additive designed for information technology, electrical/electronic and automotive interior applications like bezels, knobs and switches. The versatile film can be used to create a range of surface appearances ranging from high-gloss, piano black effects or an optional velvet/very fine matte surface finish for applications where the end user requires good graphic quality.

The new Makrofol^® SR 906 film combines manufacturing flexibility with high formability and offers some distinct process and design advantages to both OEMs and Tier suppliers. The abrasion-resistant film offers a 50 percent scratch resistance improvement over gloss polycarbonate film surfaces.

"The capped layer film approach is very attractive to manufacturers of complex parts such as automotive bezels, center stack consoles, electronic housings and household appliances that are formed under high pressures," said Chris Cooper, Specialty Films business development manager, Bayer MaterialScience LLC. "Makrofol^® SR 906 film enables the manufacturer to use a scratch- and weathering-resistant film to manufacture formed 3D parts and eliminate secondary coating operations. This is a great advantage to the manufacturer."

Makrofol^® SR 906 film is especially designed to be used with the film insert molding (FIM) process.  Excellent formability using high-pressure forming as well as thermoforming processes is possible. The acrylic cap layer enables back-molding or over-molding with acrylic resins in addition to the standard polycarbonate resins that would normally be used on the polycarbonate film side of the film. This gives the manufacturer the ability to select the best construction method for the application. High film/resin adhesion enables the film to pass typical climate test conditions for automotive interior applications.

In addition to the Makrofol^® SR capped films, Bayer MaterialScience Specialty Films offers other technologically advanced grades – LM (Light Management), ID (ID Cards and Security), DE (Design Extrusion) and UV (Weathering Resistant) products.

About Bayer MaterialScience LLC:
With 2014 sales of EUR 11.7 billion, Bayer MaterialScience is among the world's largest polymer companies.  Business activities are focused on the manufacture of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, electrical and electronics, construction and sports and leisure industries. Bayer MaterialScience has 30 production sites around the globe and employed approximately 14,200 people at the end of 2014. Bayer MaterialScience is a Bayer Group company. Sustainability is central to the company's business and is based around the key areas of innovation, product stewardship, social responsibility and respect for the environment.

Contact:

Sarah Schade, Phone: 412-777- 7503
Email: [email protected]

General media inquiries can be directed to 412-777-5200.

For more information about Bayer MaterialScience's specialty films technologies, visit www.materialscience.bayer.us.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group or subgroup management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer's public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

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SOURCE Bayer MaterialScience LLC