TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS IN THE USE OF PLASTIC MATERIALS FOR TRUCK BODY PANELS

摘要

Although steel sheets are used in general for body panels of trucks, plastics body panels have been aggressively advanced to reduce vehicle weight and corrosion. To promote the resinification of the truck body, the Authors applied polymer-alloy technology, which has developed rapidly in recent years. The Authors developed a suitable material for the body panel based on the use of thermoplastic resin that requires less production time by using an injection moulding procedure. To achieve a higher production target for truck bodies, PA/PPE (Polyamide resin / Polyphenylenether resin) was selected from various resin materials. The combination of these two resins and reinforcing fillers to creates more suitable composite material was considered in the determination the proper mixture. Consequently, the Authors developed the thermoplastic polymer-alloy that has the impact absorption ability of about eight times that of SMC(Sheet Moulding Compound), and the new material has a good shape restoration characteristic against deformation. The new material was more suitable for steps and the fender parts of medium and heavy duty trucks. The Authors will describe the details of the material development technologies and the application to the truck parts in this report.