POLYURETHANE USED IN THE BODYWORK OF EXCAVATORS

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POLYURETHANE USED IN THE BODYWORK OF EXCAVATORS
28 March 2006 - Bayer MaterialScience AG

The right-hand access cover of two Bobcat excavators is made from a polyurethane RIM system from Bayer MaterialScience. Compared to the sheet steel used previously, this material allows greater design freedom and displays impressive impact resistance.

Bobcat Co. was seeking a tough, resilient, yet aesthetically pleasing material for the construction of the right-hand access cover for its 430 ZHS and 435 ZHS series excavators, and found this material in the form of Bayflex XGT 100, a polyurethane Reaction Injection Molding system from Bayer MaterialScience LLC. The part in question covers the valve and other components on the right side of the two models.

The primary material used in Bobcat excavators used to be sheet steel. However, polyurethanes, in this case Bayflex XGT 100, provide a level of design freedom that is impossible to achieve with steel. “Using the RIM process, we can mold large parts with complex geometries that are rigid and lightweight at the same time. Manufacturing parts of this type in steel would be very difficult,” says Jeremy Harms, design engineer at Bobcat. The excellent surface quality of the material and its high impact resistance make it the material of choice for machines in farming, the construction industry and heavy-duty trucks.

The Bobcat cover measures approximately 120 x 66 x 63 cm, and the part is manufactured by Romeo RIM, USA. The coating is applied using the in-mold coating process, in which the coating is sprayed into the empty mold before the molding process begins and the coating bonds to the plastic. This also enables Class-A surfaces to be created. In-mold coating eliminates subsequent finishing operations such as degreasing, polishing, precoating and postcoating, resulting in considerable cost savings.

Directly molding in mounting hardware eliminates additional finishing operations, further increasing production efficiency. “Unlike metal, polyurethane doesn’t rust,” says John Geisler, head of customer development at Romeo RIM. “Our engineers have a lot of experience and excel in constructing parts that fulfill exacting requirements in terms of both performance and styling.”

Over the years Geisler has used a variety of polyurethane systems from Bayer MaterialScience for various applications. “We have a good working relationship with Bayer. That is not only due to the high-quality products that fully satisfy the requirements of this application, but also to the comprehensive expertise of the polyurethane specialists who played a major part in the success of this project,” Geisler explains.

http://www.bayermaterialscience.com

About: Bayer MaterialScience AG
Bayer Corporation, headquartered in Pittsburgh, is part of the worldwide Bayer Group, an international health care, nutrition and innovative materials group based in Leverkusen, Germany. Bayer employs 23,300 in North America with net North American sales of 8.8 billion euros in 2003. Bayer’s three operating business areas – HealthCare, CropScience and MaterialScience, improve people’s lives through a broad range of essential products that help diagnose and treat diseases, protect crops and advance automobile safety and durability.

Bayer MaterialScience AG is one of the world's largest producers of polymers and high-performance plastics. The main customers for Its innovative developments in coatings, adhesives, insulating materials and sealants, polycarbonates and polyurethanes are the automotive and construction industries, the electrical/electronics segment and manufacturers of sports and leisure goods, packaging, and medical devices.

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