DIMENSIONALLY STABLE MOLDING
A vehicle molding includes a first elongated component formed of a first material and a second elongated component formed of a second material. The first material has a first coefficient of linear thermal expansion and the second material has a second coefficient of linear thermal expansion. The second elongated component defines a plurality of holes. A difference between the first coefficient of linear thermal expansion and the second coefficient of linear thermal expansion is at least 20×10 −6 cm/cm ° C. The first material substantially fills the plurality of holes so that the second elongated component is embedded in and interlocked with the first elongated component.
1 . A vehicle molding comprising:
a first elongated component formed of a first material having a first coefficient of linear thermal expansion; and
a second elongated component co-extruded with said first elongated component and formed of a second material having a second coefficient of linear thermal expansion and defining a plurality of holes;
wherein said second elongated component has a thickness of from 0.2 mm to 1 mm;
wherein a difference between said first coefficient of linear thermal expansion and said second coefficient of linear thermal expansion is at least 20×10 −6 cm/cm ° C.; and
wherein said first material substantially fills said plurality of holes so that said second elongated component is embedded in and interlocked with said first elongated component.
2 . The vehicle molding of claim 1 , wherein a length of the vehicle molding does not change by more than 1% of an original length when exposed to an ambient temperature of from −30 to 95° C.
3 . (canceled)
4 . The vehicle molding of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of holes extends through a thickness of said second elongated component so that a center axis of each of said plurality of holes is disposed substantially perpendicular to both a length and a width of said second elongated component.
5 . The vehicle molding of claim 4 , wherein said plurality of holes is disposed in a first row and a second row that is substantially parallel to and adjacent said first row.
6 . The vehicle molding of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of holes occupies less than half of a surface area of said second elongated component.
7 . The vehicle molding of claim 1 , wherein said second elongated component is substantially free from a coating.
8 . The vehicle molding of claim 1 , wherein said second elongated component is substantially free from an adhesive.
9 . The vehicle molding of claim 1 , wherein said first coefficient of linear thermal expansion is at least 50×10 −6 cm/cm ° C. as measured in accordance with ASTM D696.
10 . The vehicle molding of claim 9 , wherein said second coefficient of linear thermal expansion is less than 30×10 −6 cm/cm ° C. as measured in accordance with ASTM D696.
11 . The vehicle molding of claim 1 , having a first surface configured for attachment to a vehicle and a second surface disposed opposite said first surface.
12 . The vehicle molding of claim 1 , wherein said second elongated component is configured for insertion into said first elongated component during extrusion.
13 . (canceled)
14 . The vehicle molding of claim 1 , wherein said first material is a polymer.
15 . The vehicle molding of claim 1 , wherein said second material is a metal.
16 . The vehicle molding of claim 1 , wherein said vehicle molding is a body molding.
17 . The vehicle molding of claim 1 , wherein said vehicle molding is a roof ditch molding.
18 . A vehicle molding comprising:
a first elongated component formed of a first material having a first coefficient of linear thermal expansion; and
a second elongated component co-extruded with said first elongated component and formed of a second material having a second coefficient of linear thermal expansion and defining a plurality of holes disposed in a first row and a second row that is offset with respect to said plurality of holes in said first row;
wherein said second elongated component has a thickness of from 0.2 mm to 1 mm;
wherein a difference between said first coefficient of linear thermal expansion and said second coefficient of linear thermal expansion is at least 20×10 −6 cm/cm ° C.; and
wherein said first material substantially fills said plurality of holes so that said second elongated component is embedded in and interlocked with said first elongated component.
19 . The vehicle molding of claim 18 , wherein a length of the vehicle molding does not change by more than 1% of an original length when exposed to an ambient temperature of from −30 to 95° C.
20 . A vehicle molding comprising:
a first elongated component formed of a first material having a first coefficient of linear thermal expansion; and
a second elongated component co-extruded with said first elongated component and formed of a second material having a second coefficient of linear thermal expansion and defining a plurality of holes randomly disposed throughout said second elongated component;
wherein said second elongated component has a thickness of from 0.2 mm to 1 mm;
wherein a difference between said first coefficient of linear thermal expansion and said second coefficient of linear thermal expansion is at least 20×10 −6 cm/cm ° C.;
wherein said first material substantially fills said plurality of holes so that said second elongated component is embedded in and interlocked with said first elongated component; and
wherein a length of said vehicle molding does not change by more than 1% of an original length when exposed to an ambient temperature of from −30 to 95° C.