A car boot liner or cargo liner is a synthetic mat designed to protect the

automobile A car or automobile is a motor vehicle with wheels. Most definitions of ''cars'' say that they run primarily on roads, seat one to eight people, have four wheels, and mainly transport people instead of goods. The year 1886 is regarded ...

boot or trunk against damage from dirt or spills and to pad cargo against abrasion or shock. Specifically, a boot liner shields the vehicle carpet from damage. Boot liners are usually removable so they may be cleaned or replaced.

Types

The standard PVC boot liner is universal in nature and then trimmed to fit by the end user. It is ideally developed for simple shaping and is flat in nature and consequently offers less protective qualities. Alternatively there are boot liners made from rubber that are tailored / "custom made" to fit the flat space of a vehicle's specific cargo area. Typically, these mats have a channeled, repeated upper design and raised edges. The top surface design is usually non-slip in nature and helps to prevent spills, liquid leakages, or other damages from occurring in the internal cargo space. Both universal and "custom" boot liners can be rolled up and removed or replaced if necessary. Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) is a form of

thermoplastic A thermoplastic, or thermosoft plastic, is any plastic polymer material that becomes pliable or moldable at a certain elevated temperature and solidifies upon cooling. Most thermoplastics have a high molecular weight. The polymer chains associate ...

, a rubber-like material commonly used in boot liners. It is favored by OEM and Aftermarket manufacturers because of its speed of production (vacuum formed), light weight, and strength. This material type is rigid enough to withstand and protect heavy cargo loads while preserving the vehicle's interior. An additional benefit of TPE is its ability to maintain its engineered shape while being removed or maneuvered, keeping dirt and spills from falling off the mat. There are also highly tailored boot liners available, often made from PVC or Cloth. These liners offer protection for the boot area (floor, sides and back of seats) and are often available in several configurations and colors as specified by the customer. These liners are usually specifically designed for individual car models. Those wanting to protect all of the interior of the boot (floor, sides and back of seats including the roof lining and bumper bar) can use a heavy duty polyester boot liner. These are designed to be fitted when needed and stored under the seat or in the spare tire area when not. This type of liner can withstand heavy domestic use and are water resistant (not waterproof). They are not tailored to a specific vehicle and are available in small and large sizes to suit most hatches, wagons, SUVs and 4WD vehicles. Some boot liners are designed to overlap over the bumper edge to prevent damage during loading. This has been developed also by car manufacturers to offer all-around protection.

Materials

Boot liners are commonly made from several different types of synthetic or natural rubber. *

Natural rubber Rubber, also called India rubber, latex, Amazonian rubber, ''caucho'', or ''caoutchouc'', as initially produced, consists of polymers of the organic compound isoprene, with minor impurities of other organic compounds. Thailand, Malaysia, and ...

* Styrene-butadiene * Thermoplastic elastomer *

Low-density polyethylene Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is a thermoplastic made from the monomer ethylene. It was the first grade of polyethylene, produced in 1933 by Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) using a high pressure process via free radical polymerization. Its ...

Polyester Polyester is a category of polymers that contain the ester functional group in every repeat unit of their main chain. As a specific material, it most commonly refers to a type called polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Polyesters include natura ...

Patent

patent A patent is a type of intellectual property that gives its owner the legal right to exclude others from making, using, or selling an invention for a limited period of time in exchange for publishing an enabling disclosure of the invention."A ...

for a "motor vehicle boot insert" was approved in 1993. A patent for an "Abstract Receptacle for vehicles" was granted in 2012.

References

{{Car-interior Automotive accessories

Types

Materials

Patent

See also

References