Abstract: The present invention relates to an interior automotive trim member comprising a backing substrate, a layer of elastomeric material bonded to and overlying the backing substrate, and a soft skin formed of polyolefinic material. The soft skin is bonded to and overlies the layer of elastomeric material. The soft skin is cured by electron beam curing. The present invention also relates to a method of making a soft skin for use with an interior automotive trim member comprising a backing substrate, a layer of elastomeric material bonded to and overlying the backing substrate, and the soft skin bonded to and overlying the layer of elastomeric material. The method comprises providing a polyolefinic material, and exposing the polyolefinic material to electron beam radiation to cure the polyolefinic material.

Abstract: A method for forming an automotive instrument panel having a concealed door comprising a series of steps. A plastic parison is extruded to form the substrate layer of the instrument panel. The parison has first and second walls. The parison is placed within a mold and the first wall is contacted with the second wall to form a hinge. The area of contact forms a bond between the first and second walls. A different portion of the first and second walls are contacted to form an opening path. The opening path intersects the hinge. The opening path usually has a thickness much less than the thickness of the first and second walls to form an easily fracturable area. The door swings on the hinge to open. A elongated section of material on the second wall, enables the second wall to wrap along the hinge when the door is opened.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a solid, thermoplastic composition which is conductive to ions while being an electrical insulator. More particularly, the composition comprises (a) a terpolymer of vinyl butyryl, vinyl alcohol, and vinyl acetate, (b) a plasticizer for the terpolymer, and (c) alkali metal salt.

Abstract: A electrical conductivity modified thermoplastic olefin (TPO) polymer blend with improved electrostatic painting efficiency, the blend comprising a substantially uniform mixture of: I. polymeric material being the reaction product of: (a) polypropylene, (b) maleated polypropylene, (c) elastomer, and (d) amine-terminated polyether being a linear or branched polymer of oxypropyleneamine or oxyethyleneamine repeating units having 40-100 such units, and II. alkali metal salt, the alkali metal salt being included in the thermoplastic polymer blend in an amount which provides the blend with a conductivity of at least 10.sup.-12 S/cm at 25.degree. C.