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Dimensionally like a rock

Automotive Design & Production, April, 2003

Of all of the pickups on the road, the 2003 Chevy Avalanche is certainly one of the most utile. That is, not only is there such things as the midgate that allows the vehicle to change from two rows of seats in the cab to a single row and additional cargo space, when it comes to cargo, there are two lockable storage compartments in the cargo box.

The cargo box was initially speced to be produced with an ionmer. But there was a bit of a problem discovered in pre-launch production: there was warpage, such that there was so-called "smiling," gaps between the cover and the Fender at the ends of the components.

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So now Decoplas [Cuatitlan Izcali, Mexico) is molding the parts in color with an engineered polyolefin, sequel 1880 from Solvay Engineered Polymers (Auburn Hills, M). It has a flexural modulus of approximately 300 kpsi, and is said to be the stiffest TPO that's approved for use at GM.

To build the storage compartment cover, there are both inner and outer pieces molded (in color). They are then vibration welded around a metal support bracket. The material has proven itself to be dimensionally stable.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Gardner Publications, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning

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