Plastics In The Automotive Industry

A survey of the role of plastics materials in the motor industry. It discusses progress in the different sectors of automotive engineering, and the possible effect of economic and environmental pressures on the growth of the plastics contribution. Emphasis is given to materials selection and the author explains how a material can be 'right' or 'wrong' for a particular job – and what extraneous factors could change things.

This book provides a basic understanding of the major products, technologies, applications, marketing practices and competitive scenario of the plastic automotive business in U.S. It offers current market estimates of the most important polymers broken down by specific automotive application.

Automotive Plastics and Composites: Materials and Processing is an essential guide to the use of plastic and polymer composites in automotive applications, whether in the exterior, interior, under-the-hood, or powertrain, with a focus on materials, properties, and processing. The book begins by introducing plastics and polymers for the automotive industry, discussing polymer materials and structures, mechanical, chemical, and physical properties, rheology, and flow analysis. In the second part of the book, each chapter is dedicated to a category of material, and considers the manufacture, processing, properties, shrinkage, and possible applications, in each case. Two chapters on polymer processing provide detailed information on both closed-mold and open-mold processing. The final chapters explain other key aspects, such as recycling and sustainability, design principles, tooling, and future trends. This book is an ideal reference for plastics engineers, product designers, technicians, scientists, and R&D professionals who are looking to develop materials, components, or products for automotive applications. The book also intends to guide researchers, scientists, and advanced students in plastics engineering, polymer processing, and materials science and engineering. Analyzes mechanical, chemical, physical, and thermal properties, enabling the reader to select the appropriate material for specific applications Explains polymer processing, with thorough coverage of operations across both closed-mold and open-mold processing Provides systematic coverage of materials, including commodity and engineering thermoplastics, bio-based plastics, thermosets, composites, elastomeric polymers, and 3D-printed plastics

Before the 1970s, plastics were considered primarily as non-engineering materials and were used in applications such as belts, hoses, gaskets, carpet backing, sealing, adhesives, tires, and so forth as a part of an engineering solution. More recently, plastics have replaced traditional materials and emerged as a significant "engineering application" within the automotive industry. Plastics have proven to be cost effective while providing automakers with the design freedom to accommodate safety, styling, and comfort. Engineering Plastics and Plastic Composites In Automotive Applications focuses on some of the various types of plastics and plastic composites and their applications and advantages within passenger vehicles.

Today's automotive industry is challenged by ever more stringent demands to reduce fuel consumption and exhaust emissions. Lightweight design and increased use of advanced plastic components will be crucial for the next generation of cars complying with legislation. Engineers and manufacturers who develop and produce polymer-based components for automotives are under pressure to reduce developing times and to optimize production processes for quality and economic viability. Tools of choice are computer-aided selection of polymers in combination with mathematical simulation for both, material properties and production processes. They provide crucial help in finding innovative and economical solutions when designing polymer applications for modern cars. This unique and timely book provides theoretical as well as practical reviews of novel polymer applications for automotive engineering, covering material selection, simulation, prototyping and manufacturing. Nineteen industrial case studies illustrate current polymer applications for the exterior of passenger cars and commercial vehicles ""made in Europe"". These studies describe component-specific and vehicle-specific solutions, providing expert insights into current developments in the polymer industry as well as novel component production and, most importantly, their innovative implementation into industrial practice.

This book is focused on the use of plastics in automobiles for traditional applications, as well as for more advanced uses such as under-the-hood components. Engineering thermoplastics offer the ability to tailor-make components from polymers, and to design parts for enhanced performance, new functionality, part integration, and elimination of secondary operations. Parts made from engineering thermoplastics can be manufactured within specified cost constraints, and using manufacturing methods that offer a wide range of production flexibility. A decade of research and real-world applications is presented by the authors on application technology development for various aspects of automotive design – concept design, CAD modeling, predictive engineering methods through CAE, manufacturing method simulation, and prototype and tool making. Additional advantages of plastics are covered and include greater styling, improved energy absorption, and enhanced performance over traditional materials, all while fostering environmental sustainability and reducing overall vehicle weight for next generation automobiles.

Today's automotive industry is challenged by ever more stringent demands to reduce fuel consumption and exhaust emissions. Lightweight design and increased use of advanced plastic components will be crucial for the next generation of cars complying with legislation. Engineers and manufacturers who develop and produce polymer-based components for automotives are under pressure to reduce developing times and to optimize production processes for quality and economic viability. Tools of choice are computer-aided selection of polymers in combination with mathematical simulation for both, material properties and production processes. They provide crucial help in finding innovative and economical solutions when designing polymer applications for modern cars. This unique and timely book provides theoretical as well as practical reviews of novel polymer applications for automotive engineering, covering material selection, simulation, prototyping and manufacturing. Nineteen industrial case studies illustrate current polymer applications for the exterior of passenger cars and commercial vehicles made in Europe. These studies describe component-specific and vehicle-specific solutions, providing expert insights into current developments in the polymer industry as well as novel component production and, most importantly, their innovative implementation into industrial practice.