Description / Abstract: This Material Specification is intended to detail the physical properties, and performance requirements of a Flexible Reinforcement Patch which is applied in the body shop. The patch material is applied to "oily" metal body panels. It is cured in the heat of the Electro Deposition Primer (ELPO) paint oven.

Material Description. This Flexible Reinforcement Patch is a composite material, having a woven or (non-woven) outer layer, which, as constructed, supports an uncured polymer layer, that is covered by a removable release paper. The release paper is removed prior to application in the body shop of the Reinforcement Patch to body panel that is to be reinforced. After removal of the release paper, these materials shall have satisfactory pressure sensitive tack to cold rolled steel, electro galvanized, hot dip galvanized steel, and aluminum substrates, contaminated with production processing oils. The Flexible Reinforcement Patch shall withstand production phosphatizing, ELPO dip operations without movement or delamination. The Flexible Reinforcement Patch shall also be compatible with production ELPO, primer/surfacer and topcoat bake operations exhibiting temperatures up to +190 °C.

Typical Applications. The Flexible Reinforcement Patch shall typically be used to provide localized stiffness, or additional resistance to "oil canning" or deflection of exterior body panels in the finished vehicle.