Biaxial forming behavior of decorative film laminates

Thermoforming complex shapes with Class-A aesthetics for automotive parts is challenged with shirting interests by the industry towards multi-layered laminates instead of painted finishes. Engineers in the field need methods to readily test the formability of these new laminated structures. The work in this paper examines the capacity of bulge testing to measure mechanical properties and forming limits for a series of decorative pressure-sensitive adhesive films affixed to thin polypropylene sheet.