High-performance plastics are gaining momentum in the automotive industry for their stability in harsh environments, high-temperature resistance, corrosion-resistance, and ability to minimize fuel consumption.
Benefits of High-Performance Automotive Plastics
Some of the other benefits of performance-oriented automotive plastics include:
- Versatility
- Recyclability
- Economical
- Safety
- High shelf life
Introduction to Top 3 High Performance Plastics used in Auto Manufacturing
The above-mentioned properties make these high-performance automotive plastics ideal for developing fine interior details of a car or high-temperature, corrosive fluid and chemical contact applications of heavy-duty vehicles. This blog lists out the top three high-performance plastics used in the auto manufacturing industry.
- Polyurethane: Polyurethane (PUR) is a thermosetting and thermoplastic polymer commonly used in automotive manufacturing because of its impressive physical properties and economic benefits. Physical benefits like flexibility, durability, heat resistance, high elasticity, toughness, and high-temperature resistance make PUR an ideal choice for various automotive parts. Nowadays, polyurethane car bodies are gaining traction because they can reduce the body weight considerably, thereby offering great fuel efficiency, lowering carbon dioxide emissions, and improving road performance.
Applications: Automotive instrument panels, drive belts, seat foams, headliners, steering wheels, fabric backing, door panels, bumpers, airbag covers, window encapsulation, sound and vibration absorption, energy absorbers, and elastomeric wheels and tires.
- Polypropylene: Polypropylene (PP) is an environment-friendly thermoplastic material largely used in automotive applications due to its high-temperature resistance, low density, easy recyclability, durability, and resistance to harsh chemical solvents. Polypropylene is fast substituting steel and other metals in automotive applications because of versatility and affordability.
Applications: Automobile batteries, carpet fibers, automotive bumpers, and gas cans.
- Polyvinyl Chloride: Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is the third most common high-performance plastic used in automotive manufacturing. PVC is versatile, helps to reduce the overall body weight, improves performance on the road, minimizes carbon footprint, and resists negative effects of weather, harsh chemical solvents, and driving conditions. PVC compounds are extruded, calendered, and blow molded to form a variety of automotive parts.
Applications – Protective coatings for underbodies and rocker panels, instrument panels, sun visors, synthetic leather seat covers, seals, headliners, mud flaps, and floor coverings.
The use of high-performance plastics in the automotive sector is all set to grow in the coming years due to their easy availability and a large set of benefits they offer. The above-mentioned high-performance automotive plastics contribute to 66% high-performance plastics used in the auto manufacturing.
