Enhancements by plastic components in the automotive market cannot be achieved via the use of other materials. Besides others this refers to increased safety, reduced weight, energy savings, environmentally friendly materials and processes, expanded design freedom to even more complex geometries, and simplification of the assembly/maintenance process. Automotive manufacturers are increasing the usage of high-precision, high-quality plastics which can be successfully integrated into exterior, interior and under-the-hood parts while offering the same mechanical stability as metal. With up to 50 % weight saving plastic parts such as fenders, side covers and bumpers offer similar mechanical characteristics, and also eliminate the risk of corrosion and energy absorption in case of a collision. The light-weight design is a precondition to the shift toward greater energy efficiency to meet the new mandates for energy-efficient and CAFE (corporate automobile fuel economy) standards. Plastic-oriented design could also integrate further functionalities such as optimum sealing properties or increased mechanical stability. The design freedom also enables easy and, therefore, cost-efficient individualization for different car models. The value-added chain for plastics and rubber processing is described from raw materials via compounds/blends and semi-finished products to end products, including production technologies (compounding/injection technologies), colouring and surface decoration without lacquers, transparent parts including safety foils, lightning, elastic parts, vibration absorbers, and construction materials for parts for extreme under-the-hood or under-the-body conditions, for inexpensive high temperature and chemical resistance materials. Elastic specialties include special profiles, hoses and V-belts, also resistant to high temperatures and aggressive substances. The combination of three technologies, injection moulding, extrusion and reaction processing, for the production of thermoplastics (TPU-X (crosslinked thermoplastic polyurethane) opens a completely new range of applications. Further interesting products are modern seals not only for the water management, but also for silent car doors and tires with low roll resistance, better adhesion and increased durability. Besides TPU-X, materials mentioned include PC (polycarbonate), BMC (bulk moulding compound, polyester composite), PA (polyamide, e.g. PA 66 GF30), and PP (polypropylene), e.g. FPP (polypropylene polyfort), and PP composites.


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    Titel :

    Plastics enable better automobile designs. High-quality advanced engineered polymers and new molding methods provide advantages in modern vehicle construction and manufacturing processes


    Beteiligte:
    Bauer, S. (Autor:in)

    Erschienen in:

    Hydrocarbon Processing ; 89 , 4 ; 43-49


    Erscheinungsdatum :

    2010


    Format / Umfang :

    6 Seiten, 1 Bild, 5 Tabellen



    Medientyp :

    Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)


    Format :

    Print


    Sprache :

    Englisch