High-performance engineering plastics play an important role in the automotive industry

The light weight of plastic makes more energy efficient vehicles. It is estimated that every 10% reduction in vehicle weight will result in a reduction in fuel consumption of 5% to 7%. Current economic and environmental issues have made the gasoline industry a top priority for the gasoline industry. Other advantages of high-performance engineering plastics for transportation vehicles include:

Minimal corrosion, allowing longer vehicle life

Substantial design freedom, allowing advanced creativity and innovation

Flexibility of integrated components

Safe, comfortable and economical

Recyclability.

The following are thirteen high-performance plastics used in automotive hardware. Although all 13 can be easily used in a single vehicle, only three types of plastics account for about 66% of the total high-performance plastics used in automobiles: polypropylene (32%), polyurethane (17%) and PVC (16 %)).

1) Engineering Plastics-Polypropylene (PP)

 

Polypropylene is a thermoplastic polymer used in various applications. Saturated addition polymer made from monomeric propylene. It is durable and exceptionally resistant to many chemical solvents, alkalis and acids.

Applications: Car bumpers, chemical tanks, cable insulation, gas tanks, carpet fibers.

2) Engineering Plastic-Polyurethane (PUR)

 

Solid polyurethane is an elastomer material with excellent physical properties, including toughness, flexibility, wear resistance and temperature resistance. Polyurethane has a wide range of hardness, from eraser to bowling hard. Other polyurethane characteristics include extremely high bending life, high load carrying capacity and excellent weather resistance, ozone, radiation, oil, gasoline and most solvents.

Applications: Flexible foam seats, foam insulation boards, elastic wheels and tires, automotive suspension bushings, cushions, electro-potting sealants, hard plastic parts.

3) Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

 

PVC has good flexibility, flame retardancy, and has good thermal stability, high gloss and low (to no) lead content. PVC molding compounds can be extruded, injection molded, compression molded, calendered and blow molded to form a variety of products, depending on the amount and type of plasticizer used, rigidity or flexibility.

Applications: car dashboards, cable jackets, pipes, doors.

4) Engineering plastics-ABS

 

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene is a copolymer made by polymerizing styrene and acrylonitrile in the presence of polybutadiene. Styrene gives the plastic a shiny, water-impermeable surface. Butadiene, a rubber-like substance, provides elasticity even at low temperatures. Various improvements can be made to improve impact resistance, toughness and heat resistance.

Applications: car body parts, dashboards, wheel covers.

5) Engineering plastics-polyamide (PA, nylon 6/6, nylon 6)

 

Nylon 6/6 is a general purpose nylon that can be molded and extruded. Nylon 6/6 has good mechanical properties and wear resistance. It is often used when low cost, high mechanical strength, rigidity and stable materials are required. Nylon is highly absorbent and will swell in humid environments.

Applications: gears, bushings, cams, bearings, weather-resistant coatings.

6) Engineering plastics-polystyrene (PS)

 

Natural and transparent, polystyrene shows excellent chemical resistance and electrical resistance. Special high gloss and high impact grades are widely used. This easily manufactured plastic has poor UV resistance.

Applications: device housings, buttons, auto parts, display bases.

7) Polyethylene (PE)

 

Polyethylene has high impact resistance, low density and good toughness. It can be used in a variety of thermoplastic processing methods, and is particularly useful when moisture resistance and low cost are required.

Application: Car body (FRP), electrical insulation.

8) Engineering Plastics-POM (Polyoxymethylene)

 

POM has excellent stiffness, stiffness and yield strength. These properties are stable at low temperatures. POM is also highly chemical and fuel resistant.

Application: interior and exterior decoration, fuel system, pinion.

9) Engineering plastics-polycarbonate (PC)

Amorphous polycarbonate polymers provide a unique combination of rigidity, hardness and toughness. It has excellent weather resistance, creep resistance, impact resistance, optical properties, electrical properties and thermal properties. Due to its extraordinary impact, it is a material for car bumpers, various helmets and bullet-proof glass substitutes.

Application: bumper, headlamp lens.

10) Acrylic (PMMA)

 

Transparent thermoplastic, PMMA is usually used as a lightweight or shatterproof glass substitute. It is cheaper than a PC, but it is also easier to scratch and shatter.

Applications: windows, displays, screens.

11) Engineering Plastics-PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate)

 

Thermoplastic PBT is used as an insulator in the electrical and electronic industries. It has a high degree of chemical and heat resistance. Flame retardant grades are available.

Applications: door handles, bumpers, carburetor components.

12) Engineering Plastics-Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)

 

PET is mainly used to manufacture synthetic fibers and plastic bottles. You can recognize it on the clothing label under the name "polyester".

Applications: Wiper arm and gear box, headlamp holder, hood, connector housing.

13) Engineering Plastics-ASA (Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate)

 

 

Similar to ABS, ASA has good toughness and rigidity, good chemical resistance and thermal stability, excellent weather resistance, resistance to aging and yellowing, and high gloss. Be careful not to burn this material. May cause toxic fumes.

Applications: Shells, profiles, indoor components and outdoor applications.