Analysis on the Development and Application of Automotive Engineering Plastics

Advantages of automotive engineering plastics

Engineering plastics are increasingly used in the manufacture of automotive parts, including automotive exterior parts, because of their excellent processability, excellent performance and reduced cost, especially weight loss. Replacing metal parts with engineering plastic parts can also improve the comfort and safety of the car.

Application of automotive engineering plastics

Typical applications for engineering plastic exterior parts in passenger vehicles include bumpers, radiator grilles, fenders, lamp housings, mirror housings, sunroof systems, door handles, body trim panels, engine covers, Luggage compartment cover, back door and hard top. Plastic materials used include polypropylene, polyethylene, polyurethane, nylon, ABS, polycarbonate, and fiber reinforced composites. The application of plastic exterior parts in commercial vehicles is mainly based on fiber-reinforced thermosetting composite materials. The application components include bumpers, masks, pedals, high ceilings, shrouds and deflectors. The proportion of plastic parts used in passenger cars to the total weight of the vehicle has reached 8% to 12% on average, but the proportion applied to exterior parts only accounts for 1% to 2% of the total weight of the vehicle.

Breakthrough point of engineering plastics for vehicles

The connection between plastics and metal parts is still a bottleneck restricting its development and promotion in China and the world. This is a challenge. If the application of automotive engineering plastics can overcome this problem, it will be a major breakthrough.