|  | EXXONMOBIL CHEMICAL'S EXXTRAL PERFORMANCE POLYOLEFIN CHOSEN FOR BUMPER FASCIA OF NEW CHEVROLET CAMARO
| HOUSTON (December 17, 2009) – ExxonMobil Chemical's Exxtral™ performance polyolefin has been chosen for the rear bumper fascia of the new Chevrolet Camaro. Exxtral H1725 polyolefin is used on all models of the Camaro that became available since early 2009. Chevrolet is one of the first original equipment manufacturers (OEM) in North America to select strong, lightweight Exxtral polyolefins for automotive exterior applications.
Exxtral H1725 was selected because of its good processing attributes, high stiffness and impact strength, and low shrinkage. This grade also exhibits good dimensional tolerances that meet the specifications of the part and vehicle to ensure a high-quality "fit and finish", which is different for each model.
“Chevrolet was looking for a high-flexural modulus thermoplastic polyolefin to meet the stringent bumper fascia specifications of its new platform. ExxonMobil Chemical developed Exxtral polyolefin grades, which underwent extensive testing to make sure the mechanical and long-term aging properties, and paintability, met Chevrolet's requirements," said Dinesh Bhutani, global account manager, ExxonMobil Chemical specialty compounds business.
Exhibiting unique high impact strength at low temperatures, Exxtral H1725 polyolefin provides the essential balance between stiffness and toughness with the low coefficient of linear thermal expansion (CLTE) and excellent paintability required for bumper fascia applications. It also offers excellent paintability for other automotive exterior applications. Due to its high melt flow rate and formulation design, Exxtral H1725 polyolefin offers a broad operating window and produces good surface appearance, without issues such as "flow marks" and "tiger stripes", for molded-in color exterior parts.
The use of Exxtral polyolefin for the bumper fascia of the new Camaro was the result of close collaboration between the Tier One supplier, Ventra (part of Flex-N-Gate Corporation), and the specialty compound supplier, ExxonMobil Chemical. As well as providing material recommendations, ExxonMobil Chemical provided technical assistance such as design and tooling advice, mold flow testing and processing support.
A ready-to-inject, fully-stabilized compound with good UV resistance, a weathered grade, Exxtral H1725W polyolefin, is also available in different colors.
Exxtral performance polyolefins are becoming increasingly popular with global automotive designers and processors because they offer opportunities to reduce weight and cost without sacrificing performance. Durable in adverse conditions, they provide outstanding surface hardness, good “fit and finish” characteristics, fast cycle times and are competitively priced.
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About ExxonMobil Chemical
ExxonMobil Chemical is one of the world’s premier petrochemical companies with manufacturing, technology, and marketing operations around the world. The company delivers a broad portfolio of products and solutions efficiently and responsibly, with a commitment to create outstanding customer and shareholder value. ExxonMobil Chemical endorses the principles of sustainable development, including the need to balance economic growth, social development and environmental considerations. To learn more, visit www.exxonmobilchemical.com.
About ExxonMobil Chemical’s polypropylene portfolio
ExxonMobil Chemical offers a broad portfolio of polypropylene products. The portfolio includes Exxtral™ performance polyolefins, Achieve™ metallocene polymers, Exxpol™ impact copolymers and ExxonMobil™ polypropylene. These products provide innovative technology solutions combined with global support in material selection, design, processing and supply chain management.
Note to Editors:
1.The terms, “we,” “our,” "ExxonMobil Chemical," or "ExxonMobil" are used for convenience, and may include any one or more of ExxonMobil Chemical Company, Exxon Mobil Corporation, or any affiliates they directly or indirectly steward. The ExxonMobil Logo, the Interlocking X Device, ExxonMobil, Exxtral, Achieve and Exxpol are trademarks of ExxonMobil.
2. Link to ExxonMobil Exxtral H1725 product data sheet.
3. Photograph courtesy of GM Corp.
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