Products > Flexible Finishes

Flexible Finishes

Automotive

Automotive market need

In 1986, Whitford identified a need among automotive manufacturers for an alternative to the traditional methods of post-treating elastomeric seals and moldings.

These traditional treatments included:

• Polyamide and polyester flocking agents.
• Silicone solutions.
• Fine particle chalks.
• Specialist greases.

Status quo? The automotive industry wanted more for less!

It became clear that higher performance, easier to use products were required in order to satisfy the increasingly technical demands of the automotive manufacturers.

The technical demands being placed upon the sealing systems manufacturers were:

• Reduction of coefficient of friction.
• The avoidance of sticking between the door and the primary door seal.
• Protection of the rubber against the effects of weathering.
• Provision of different appearance and texture.

The Whitford solution

A comprehensive range of Xylan coating solutions for all sealing systems, designed especially with the processing requirements of the sealing systems manufacturer in mind.

Which Xylan coating is best for your sealing-system problem?

1. Glass-run applications

These applications refer to the coating of window seals in which automotive glass moves during opening and closing operations. The coatings have high abrasion resistance, consistently low friction values and low operational-noise qualities, all major advantages over traditional flock technologies.

2. Weatherstrip applications

These applications refer to the coating of primary and secondary door seals, boot (trunk) seals and bonnet (hood) seals. The reasons for using a coating include provision for freeze (ice)-release and noise suppression properties associated with the micromovement of seals against a painted surface.

3. Appearance applications

These applications refer to the coating of sealing systems for decorative effect, including colored and textured coatings. By inference, these coatings are often required to have excellent resistance to environmental weathering.

Xylan coatings and the many benefits
they provide for sealing systems

Xylan coatings offer a complete range of outstanding benefits to solve the problems of automotive sealing systems:

• Low friction.
• Excellent resistance to abrasion.
• Elimination of noise from seal micromovement against the car body and glass.
• Outstanding release properties.
• Good aesthetic properties, including clear coatings.
• Color-coordinated coatings (many colors to match the interior trim).
• Improved weathering and chemical resistance of sealing system compounds.
• Soft touch (a velvet aspect for the cosmetic limbs of internal seals to match the interior trim velour).

All Xylan coatings also provide significant benefits in processing:

• Simple, easy-to-control, monitored applications.
• Less likelihood of contamination than with alternative technologies.
• Extremely cost-effective.

Xylan works, whatever the application

Xylan coating materials have proved highly successful in many different automotive applications. In glass-run channels, for instance, Xylan’s remarkable abrasion resistance ensures long-lasting, smooth, silent window operation combined with consistently low levels of friction. When used on boot (trunk) seals, this versatile material provides excellent release even in the most adverse conditions.

Volkswagen specified Xylan 1642 for application to the "A" pillar seal to reduce noise generated through wind resistance in the Golf.

In addition to excellent release, Xylan provides outstanding appearance, door-slam resistance and protection against weathering to main door seals, body seals and drip rails. Xylan greatly enhances the weather resistance and appearance of door pillars and exterior window seals. Xylan coatings also combat the effect of “stick-slip”, thus reducing squeak and noise associated with the micromovement of seals against body panels and glass.

Variety of substrates

Xylan coatings are not limited to applications with EPDM. They have also been successfully applied to NBR, PVC, ASA, acrylics, ABS and polyester, sometimes in combination with Whitford-provided or approved primer systems.

In anticipation of new market trends, Whitford has carried out extensive development in the formulation of Xylan coating variations for specific use on TPE (TPV/TPO) substrates.

Construction

Whitford has formulated a range of coating materials for application onto the rubber seals used on PVCU window systems.

These coatings are available in a range of colors to match the finish of the PVCU frames.

In addition to the colored coatings, we are also able to offer products with textured effects such as velvet or leather.

There are many benefits from using coated seals including:

• Easier fitting into the window frame.
• Color coordination with the window frame.
• Protection of the rubber from oxygen/UV degradation.

Industrial

Seals, gaskets, belts and “O”-rings are some of the components for which Whitford has formulated a flexible finish.

Whether it be low friction, ease of fit, chemical resistance, abrasion resistance, mean resistance or some other property, Whitford has a coating to meet your need and enhance your rubber or plastic component.

Our coatings are available in a range of colors and can be used for part identification or to match the overall component assembly.

Coatings have also been formulated that have textures such as velvet or leather.

The coating systems in this category have been arranged under the following headings:

Automotive
Construction
Industrial
Other