The use of polymers as plastics in the manufacture of automobiles is not a novel concept. It has expanded dramatically over the last few decades. Plastics are now the second most common material used in automobiles.
Polymers have totally altered car construction, performance, safety, and even functionality. Plastic automobile parts are corrosion resistant. They not only provide this quality, but they also provide flexibility and resilience for added safety.
Here’s a concrete example in numbers; you can say, basic research. Plastic materials account for approximately 20% of the overall weight of an ordinary modern car weighing around 1,500 kg (considering thermoplastics and elastomers). This means that 300 kg is distributed across 2,000 parts and components of various shapes as well as sizes.
Below we have discussed some top reasons why plastic is utilized in automobile manufacturing.
Plastics Increase Car Safety
When it comes to car safety, plastics play a critical role. For example, bumpers made of plastic typically weigh 50% less than those made of other materials. Polycarbonate (PC), polyurethane (PUR), polypropylene (PP), Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), and polyamide (PA) compounded with glass fibers are some most common plastic types.
These bumpers can absorb four to five times more energy during an impact. Furthermore, airbags (made of high-strength polyamides), long-lasting polyester fiber seat belts, and plastic child restraint seats have made cars safer for drivers and passengers.
Shatter-resistant windshields are usually made of laminated glass. A thin layer of plastic (that is typically PVB or EVAC) sandwiched between two layers of glass deserves credit. It is far lighter and more durable than tempered glass. If you need to buy used auto parts that are made of either plastic or metal, make sure to search for a supplier that offers high-quality car parts.
Plastics are Great for Advanced Car Design
Designers and engineers are now free to develop novel design concepts. Especially those that improve vehicle functionality. Paint protection film (PPF) is a thermoplastic urethane film that is gradually replacing traditional automotive paint on some new car components. It is 15 times thicker than standard paint. Also, it is more resistant to scratches, damage, chips, and UV degradation. As a result, the high-gloss shine lasts longer than any other traditional paint.
Remember the old days when vehicle repainting or a gleaming shine seemed like a chore? Forget about them now! Your favorite cars are set to shine brightly like diamonds. Thanks to new advanced technology by plastic injection oem which is based on plastic manufacturing.
Plastics Reduce Total Car Manufacturing Cost
Single-molded components have aided in reducing vehicle assembly time. They are best known for introducing design innovations at a lower cost. A high-density polyethylene (PE-HD) plastic fuel tank is inert to the corrosive environments, both inside and outside the tank.
A key safety feature of a plastic fuel tank is that it can be manufactured as a single part. It means without soldered seams, so there are no seams to fail in a collision.
Plastics Decrease the Total Car Weight
One of the primary reasons is that plastics make automobiles much lighter. As a result, fuel demand and greenhouse gas emissions are also reduced. A reduction of 100 kg in the weight of a modern car, for example, results in a reduction in fuel consumption of approximately 0.4 liters per 100 km. Not only that but CO2 emissions of around 10 g per km are also reduced.
The best part is that reducing overall vehicle weight makes a car not only safer but also faster as well as more efficient. Your car must remain appealing in terms of both prices and aesthetics in order to compete in a growing market.
Plastics Provides Better Sustainability
Fuel efficiency alone contributes to sustainability through reduced emissions. But as automakers develop new renewable plastics for use in vehicle design, energy savings and car performance will increase.
Many automobile manufacturers are already using recycled plastic in a wide variety of applications. Some of the most common ones are seat cushions, splash guards, replacement bumpers, and wheel liners.
Plastics Offer Weather Resistance
Weather is constantly wreaking havoc on your vehicle. This is the biggest reason why synthetic coatings on metal surfaces are used to reduce the risk of corrosion. The corrosion is usually caused by extreme heat, salt damage, and water exposure.
Even glass windshields are coated with plastic film in order to improve wear and tear, weather resistance, and shatter resistance. Car parts are either coated or entirely made of plastics. For example, polyurethane is heat-resistant, as well as abrasion-resistant, and flexible.
Plastics Make Rides Comfortable
Plastic has also come up with some novel ways to make you more comfortable in your car. They can both improve sound amplification within the car and filter out a lot of infrared rays. As a result, it can keep your car from getting too hot in the summer.
Not to mention the grip of the steering wheel, the shape of the seat, and the plethora of other features that we all take for granted every time we get into our vehicles.
Conclusion
When it comes to the environment, plastics are typically viewed as the enemy; however, in the automotive industry, the opposite is typically true. They can help to reduce emissions and develop the environmental benefits of automobiles. Thereby ensuring that the entire globe meets the emissions targets in the coming years.
Plastics have made automobiles more affordable for manufacturers, which has been passed on to consumers. So, more people are allowed to get on the road safely and much more easily. Their popularity has grown over the years, and due to the endless powerful benefits they provide, this is only going to grow as car design continues to innovate and develop in new and more exciting ways.