CAMX 2022 exhibit preview: Solvay

SolvaLite SF200 offered by Solvay (Alpharetta, Ga., U.S.) is a light tack, supported epoxy film designed to co-cure with Solvay prepregs to generate a smooth surface suitable for priming and painting in applications where a Class-A finish is required, such as composite body panels on premium sports and other luxury-class vehicles.

Building on the technology and long history of Solvay’s VTF266 surfacing film, SolvaLite SF200 incorporates the company’s latest fast-cure technology, enabling high volume throughput programs to be realized in addition to the low build rates of high-end vehicles. With cure times of 10 minutes or less at 150°C possible and its controlled flow characteristics,

Surfacing Film is designed primarily for fast press cure applications. Solvay says hand layup or automated film deposition is possible, producing laminates with a smooth, cured surface that requires minimal rework before priming and painting. The cured surface is said to be tough, robust to high temperatures and other environmental conditions, and shows good adhesive bonding to typical automotive paints and primers.

According to the company, SolvaLite SF200 is capable of curing at very fast rates, but the shopfloor stability is also improved, displaying a longer ambient outlife than previous surface films. This makes it ideal for short compression molding cycle operations, Solvay notes, which are found in serial production facilities where freezer storage is at a premium or is not possible.

Overall, SolvaLite SF200 reportedly provides a one-stop solution for OEMs and Tier suppliers who wish to receive a matched prepreg and surface film package from a single source. Targeted use are large body panels found on sports and luxury vehicles, but it may also be used in other composite panel applications where highly flat, smooth surfaces are needed before painting. As such, it complements Solvay’s new series of fast press cure SolvaLite 714 prepregs, in addition to legacy Solvay autoclave curable prepregs such as MTM58B. It is currently available as two areal weights, 167 gsm and 317 gsm, for a variety of applications.