Latest update on Plastic industry:
Automotive lightweighting with alternative plastic materials will remain an important technology trend into the foreseeable 2020-2025 time period. The lightweighting potential of every vehicle component is currently under investigation, and advanced plastics and plastic composites offer significant lightweighting potential.
Fiber-reinforced plastic composites are typically 25-35 percent lighter than steel parts of equal strength. Low and ultra-low density sheet molding compound (SMC) advances are also facilitating weight reductions.
New material uses to reduce weight will include:
.Greater use of engineered plastics and composites in car body panels
.Long and continuous fiber technology for structural parts
.More use of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic for structural and other parts as lower cost composites are developed
.Polycarbonate and acrylic as glazing, including car roofs and rear ends
.Advanced nylons in under-the-hood applications
.Foaming and glass-bead technology to reduce part density
.More use of plastic-metal and organic hybrid technology
.Advances in thin-gauge, high-performance steel
.Growing use of aluminum and magnesium metals
The challenges for materials in the automotive drive and under-the-hood technology include high temperatures, moisture and vibrations. In order to be able to withstand such an environment over the service life of a car, the plastics used often have to be specially equipped.
Latest update on Plastic industry: Automotive lightweighting with alternative plastic materials will remain an important technology trend into the foreseeable 2020-2025 time period. The lightweighting potential of every vehicle component is currently under investigation, and advanced plastics and plastic composites offer significant lightweighting potential. Fiber-reinforced plastic composites are typically 25-35 percent lighter than steel parts of equal strength. Low and ultra-low density sheet molding compound (SMC) advances are also facilitating weight reductions. New material uses to reduce weight will include: .Greater use of engineered plastics and composites in car body panels .Long and continuous fiber technology for structural parts .More use of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic for structural and other parts as lower cost composites are developed .Polycarbonate and acrylic as glazing, including car roofs and rear ends .Advanced nylons in under-the-hood applications .Foaming and glass-bead technology to reduce part density .More use of plastic-metal and organic hybrid technology .Advances in thin-gauge, high-performance steel .Growing use of aluminum and magnesium metals The challenges for materials in the automotive drive and under-the-hood technology include high temperatures, moisture and vibrations. In order to be able to withstand such an environment over the service life of a car, the plastics used often have to be specially equipped.
