Tactile Perception of Passenger Vehicle Interior Polymer Surfaces: An Investigation using Fingertip Blind Observations and Friction Properties

There is a growing demand for soft-touch materials for use in, for instance, interior components of cars, and similar goods that are subject to hand-held contact. The current study focused on touch-feel perception (human fingertip - blind observer) and friction properties in an air-conditioned room, with an ambient temperature of 201oC and a relative humidity of greater than 405 % RH. The conclusion leads to within the sight observers, 60 % contributed with regard to the tactile sensory input, and 40 % contributed with regard to the visual sensory input. Therefore, both attributes contributed to the final decision, with a 99.7 % (3) level of confidence. On the other hand, within the blind observers, 60 % contributed with regard to the tactile sensory input, and 0.0 % contributed with regard to the visual sensory input, with a 60 % (1) level of confidence. Moreover, there is a strong correlation between the pattern for both genders (blind observers) to prefer S1 material as the smoothest one. Also, there is a strong correlation between the pattern for both genders (sight observers) to prefer S5 for both and S9 for women as the smoothest material and the preferred one. Furthermore, there is a strong correlation between sight (Women) observers and surface roughness, Ra. On the other hand, there is no correlation between blind (Women, Men) observers and surface roughness, Ra, results.