Why FARIA® Film Insert Molding Technology Special Effects May Be Right For Your Next Project

With the FARIA® Film Insert Molding (FIM) Technology, color, design, graphic and even tactile effects come together in a powerful combination of advanced materials and processing. FARIA FIM Technology can also produce soft-feel tactile effects, fibergraphics, and bright metallic (mirror) appearance. The decorative options are limitless. Bayer MaterialScience is constantly evaluating and developing new FARIA FIM Technology special effects.

This technology requires that the film employed be decorated first, followed by specialized operations prior to molding parts. Bayer's Makrofol® PC film or Bayfol® PC/PBT film is decorated with a special graphic or an unusual tactile effect. The preformed (or flat) film is placed into an injection mold and a molten engineered plastic is injected behind the film, forming a finished integral part that does not require any post-molding operations.

It is possible to produce sharp, long-lasting visual effects because the graphic design elements are protected by the film layer and integrated into the design of the part. The film acts like a "skin," providing a finish to graphics that will not fade or peel off.

FARIA FIM Technology also produces soft-touch tactile effects and fibergraphics. Makrofol Softtouch film has a special soft-touch coating to yield a pleasing feel. To produce fibergraphics, individual fibers are locked into an adhesive layer that is bound to a film base. The base enables the film to be formed prior to injection molding. Red velvet and demin special effects are two extraordinary examples of what's possible with FARIA FIM Technology’s fibergraphics option.