It is expected that from 2012 to 2015, the application of nanocomposites, sprayable and non-sprayable plastics, plastic lenses, plastic glass and fiber reinforced thermoplastics will be fully utilized in automotive materials.
At present, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), ABS resin and engineering plastics and their alloy materials have been preliminarily used in the automotive field.
At the same time, the increasingly serious environmental problems and the regulation of carbon emissions make automobile manufacturers pay more and more attention to the development of automotive plastics. The application of plastics in automotive industry can not only reduce fuel consumption and vehicle weight, achieve environmental sustainability, but also improve the design flexibility and safety. Typical applications include applications in automotive parts such as baffles, fenders, airbags and seat belts. In addition to high environmental sustainability, high-performance automotive plastics also have strong design flexibility and operational safety. At present, automotive plastics are widely used in bumper, engine cover, airbag and seat belt parts. The incorporation of high performance plastics can not only reduce the vehicle weight, but also play the role of shock absorption and wear resistance, so as to better extend the service life of automobiles.
The existence of automobiles has provided many convenient conditions for people's lives. With the continuous innovation and development of science and technology, automobile styles are changing rapidly, while its manufacturing materials have also made great breakthroughs. Plastic materials have gradually replaced traditional materials. Automotive plastics can not only meet the special needs of automobile manufacturers for spare parts to the greatest extent. It can also reduce processing costs and fuel consumption, and lightweight cars can also help improve passenger car comfort. A study published in February by Frost Sullivan, an American growth consulting firm, said that the rapid technological advances in European automotive manufacturing will drive the growing demand for automotive plastics.
As far as cost is concerned, plastic automotive parts have more cost advantages than traditional metal parts. Although the price of metal materials per unit is higher than that of automotive plastics, the latter is more feasible, which can greatly reduce processing, assembly and other later costs. In addition, with the future development of high-performance plastics in the automotive field, the area of high-performance plastics will make it more feasible. With this, the price will surely fall further.
As a new type of spare parts material, plastics can not only reduce automobile weight, fuel consumption and emissions, but also greatly reduce the purchase cost, improve automobile power and enhance its safety, and ultimately make automobiles show better performance in both safety and cost. There is no doubt that the application prospect of plastics in automobiles will be more and more broad.
A new blueprint for automotive plastics released by the American Chemical Council (ACC) Plastics Branch calls for more demonstration of the capabilities of plastics and polymer composites to expand their use in automotive applications. In 2001, the organization released its first blueprint for plastics for automobiles, most recently in 2009.
With the continuous improvement of people's living standards, the automotive industry will develop rapidly, which will give automotive plastics a rare opportunity in a thousand years. With a good market prospect, enterprises need to make further efforts in R&D, constantly develop the potential of plastic raw materials, so that automotive plastics have more competitive advantages. Make the automotive plastics market continue to grow.
The latest version, called "Blueprint for Technical Planning of Automotive Plastic and Polymer Composites", aims to build a framework for increasing the penetration of plastic and polymer composites in the automotive industry, with a particular focus on weight-loss applications and meeting fuel efficiency standards.
