Trinseo, a specialty materials provider, released its Induro product. The engineered continuous cast acrylic capped sheet was developed as a more durable material replacement for exterior RV panels.
The company said the material offers advantages over alternative exterior materials such as gel coatings and fiberglass. In comparison to gel coat and fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP), Induro enables a hydrocarbon-, emission-free production method. The material streamlines part processing because of the repeatable, consistent caliper thickness throughout the full sheet width.
Trinseo’s Michel Brendel, vice president, global engineered surfaces, said: “Induro provides manufacturers the ability to deliver a long-lasting finish to their customers. The material is used for the largest and most visible parts of a vehicle and offers exceptional gloss, chemical/scratch resistance, weatherability, and color fastness. These are key performance properties required for vehicles … that are regularly exposed to weather extremes.”
The Induro material is uniformly pigmented, providing a less UV-sensitive color than traditional materials, and is available in custom colors. Acrylic’s non-fading and non-yellowing characteristics make Induro’s finish last longer. Trinseo said the multi-layer finish also provides better resistance to chalking, a condition caused when a surface finish degrades because of extreme weather conditions.
The material is available in custom widths up to 104 inches, in sheet lengths with a maximum of 245 inches and in light gray and white colors with a custom match.
