Ford WSS-M2F186 Fabric, Vinyl Coated

The “Ford WSS-M2F186 Fabric, vinyl coated” standard, developed by Ford Motor Company (Ford), consists of the following components:

• Ford WSS-M2F186-A1 Fabric, vinyl coated, multi-purpose
• Ford WSS-M2F186-A2 Fabric, vinyl coated, anti-squeak coating.
• Ford WSS-M2F186-A3 Fabric, vinyl coated, commercial vehicle.
• Ford WSS-M2F186-A4 Fabric, vinyl coated, multi-purpose hole puncher.
• Ford WSS-M2F186-A5 Fabric, vinyl coated, anti-squeak coating for hole punching.

The material defined by these specifications is an expanded polyvinyl chloride film laminated onto a knitted polyester fabric. Depending on the application, these materials can be used laminated with foam or a backing fabric/tulle.

The Ford WSS-M2F186-A1 standard was initially introduced for materials used as interior trim for seat applications in passenger vehicles.

The Ford WSS-M2F186-A2 standard was initially introduced for interior applications such as door panels, headrests, armrests, and seat side panels requiring anti-squeak coating.

The Ford WSS-M2F186-A3 standard was initially introduced for commercial vehicle seat applications requiring high resistance to wear.

The Ford WSS-M2F186-A4 standard was initially introduced for perforated trim material used in interior upholstery for seat applications in passenger vehicles.

The Ford WSS-M2F186-A5 standard was initially introduced for interior applications requiring anti-squeak coating and perforations.

All other applications must be evaluated and approved by a design engineer and a materials engineer.

In addition to the requirements listed in the Ford WSS-M2F186 standard, this material must meet the WSS-M8P3-E1/E3 or latest version performance, flexible polymeric film, indoor quality specification requirements. Laminated materials must meet the lamination requirements according to WSS-M8P3-E3 or latest version.

For WSS-M2F186-A2, the material should not show any signs of squeaking during a driving assessment when installed in an assembly on the intended vehicle. Squeak prevention properties should be evaluated by the product engineer on an application basis. The squeak prevention properties of the material should also be reviewed by regional materials engineering and documented in the approved source list.

Material suppliers and component manufacturers must comply with the company's standard requirements for production materials (Ford WSS-M99P1111-A).

In the automotive manufacturing world, material properties form the backbone of quality, safety, and performance. Ford Motor Company, a pioneer in the automotive industry, has developed a comprehensive suite of Worldwide Engineering Standards (WSS) to ensure consistency across its global supply chain. Among these, the WSS-M2F186 standard series stands out as a critical specification for interior materials, particularly vinyl-coated fabrics used in seats, door panels, and upholstery components.

The Ford WSS-M2F186 standard is part of Ford’s materials engineering standards and applies specifically to products in the “M2” category, which refers to interior upholstery and soft furnishings. Introduced as part of Ford’s efforts to standardize supplier materials, this standard includes requirements for vinyl (PVC) coated fabrics designed for high-wear applications in vehicle interiors.

The Ford WSS-M2F186 standard targets physical and aesthetic properties. It ensures that materials not only look premium but also perform under challenging conditions such as temperature fluctuations, UV exposure, and constant passenger friction. All variants of the Ford WSS-M2F186 standard must be used together.

The Ford WSS-M2F186 standard material is essentially an expanded polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film laminated onto a knitted polyester fabric backing. This construction provides a balance between flexibility, durability, and cost-effectiveness. The PVC layer offers a smooth, wipeable surface that is stain and abrasion resistant, while the polyester knit provides dimensional stability and prevents cracking over time. These fabrics can be further laminated with foam for cushioning or additional backing for structural support, making them ideal for contoured surfaces such as seat cushions or armrests.

Ford has developed this basic material through a series of sub-specifications, each tailored to specific applications or enhancements. A breakdown of the basic variants is as follows:

• Variant Description Key Features Typical Applications
• Ford WSS-M2F186-A1 Fabric, vinyl coated, multi-purpose. Key features: standard PVC lamination, versatile. Typical applications: general seating areas, door panels.
• Ford WSS-M2F186-A2 Fabric, vinyl coated, anti-squeak coating. Key features: Expanded PVC with noise-reducing coating. Typical applications: High-touch areas such as seats and consoles.
• Ford WSS-M2F186-A3 Fabric, vinyl coated, commercial vehicle. Key features: Durability developed for heavy-duty use. Typical applications: fleet vehicles, trucks.
• Ford WSS-M2F186-A4. Fabric, vinyl coated, multi-purpose for perforation. Key features: perforated for breathability. Typical applications: ventilated seats.
• Ford WSS-M2F186-A5 Fabric, vinyl coated, anti-squeak coating for perforations. Key features: noise-reducing perforations. Typical applications: premium ventilated interiors.
• WSS-M2F186-A21 Fabric, vinyl (PVC) coated, high elongation performance for door handlebars. Key features: superior stretch and recovery. Typical applications: door handlebars, flexible inserts.

These variants allow Ford to customize materials for various vehicle series. For example, the anti-squeak coatings on the A2 and A5 include special finishes that minimize friction-induced noises, a common complaint in older vehicles.

Ford's technical specifications mandate compliance with a series of tests outlined in the WSS-M99P1111-A1 standard. Several critical areas are as follows:

• Abrasion resistance: The fabric must withstand thousands of cycles without significant wear on Taber or Martindale test devices, ensuring longevity in high-traffic areas.
• Tear and tensile strength: Minimum values ​​for tear propagation and elongation (up to 300% in high-performance models) prevent failures under stress.
• Flammability: Compliance with Ford FMVSS 302 standards for horizontal combustion rates, which are critical for passenger safety.
• Color fastness and UV resistance: Resistance to fading due to sunlight exposure, measured by the xenon arc test, to preserve indoor aesthetics.
• Cleanability: Ability to withstand repeated cleaning with automotive-grade materials without degradation.
• Environmental resilience: Performance across a wide temperature range (-30 degrees to 80 degrees Celsius) and humidity levels, critical for global markets.

For many years, our organization, with its competent and experienced staff, has been understanding the needs of its customers, providing the advanced testing services they require, and assisting them in the establishment, implementation, and improvement of management systems. Within this framework, we also provide testing services to businesses in accordance with the "Ford WSS-M2F186 Fabric, vinyl coated" standard.