| abstract |
A composite article comprising a combination of a non-structural component (A) joined with a structural component (B) is disclosed. The non-structural component does not bear a sustained load stress due to the attachment with the structural component (B). The non-structural component (A) comprises plasticized polyvinyl halide resin, and fiber, such as glass fibers. Plasticizer and fiber are present in sufficient amount to obtain a coefficient of linear thermal expansion resulting therefrom to 0.1x10-5 °K-1 to 4x10-5 °K-1. The structural component (B) is generally selected from the group consisting of a rigid molded, stamped or shaped metal article such as a steel, aluminum or thermoset polymer article, a metal door, a metal door casing, a window pane, and a metal window casing, to name a few examples. The structural component (B) can be coated or non-coated for example in a painted automotive body panel, a RIM molded thermoset polymeric article in the shape of a bumper. The composite combination is useful especially for applications where service temperatures vary significantly such as in automotive exterior trim components, and construction components such as door and window frames and spacers requiring permanent affixing to the structural element(s). |