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In recent years, trends towards monochromatic styling have increased the use of body side moldings matched to panel paint colors. These moldings can be painted to match, but are increasingly using pigmented flexible poly (vinyl chloride) to improve durability and reduce part cost. Even complicated “special effect” colors like metallics and pearlescents are now matched in pigmented vinyl. However, after several winters in severe climates like the Great Lakes region, some white moldings were observed to be noticeably yellowed. Since white is the most popular choice of car buyers, this is particularly troubling. The effect proved to be difficult to consistently reproduce in laboratory experiments.

Reinforced Thermoplastics, like most materials, typically become more stiff and brittle as they are formulated to increase dimensional stability (lower coefficient of linear thermal expansion and sag). A new family of thermoplastic composites offers very low coefficients of thermal expansion, sag comparable to rigid reinforced materials, yet retains flexibility and impact resistance. This atypical balance of properties permits designers to make flexible parts without resorting to metal inserts to control part geometry. The poly (vinyl chloride) based formulations also offer chemical compatibility with various aesthetic surface materials, like high-gloss flexible PVC or paint. Therefore, complete trim parts can be designed using only materials of compatible composition, greatly facilitating the recyclability of the part. Exploiting the dimensional properties in part cross-sectional design can permit significantly reduced part weights.