Plastics cars:A global view

摘要

Prospects & advantages of plastics in cars have been enumerated which include savings in weight,free scope in design,multifunctional parts in structures,comfort,safety,etc.SMC & BMC have been used as substitutes for sheet metal.Specific plastics parts and their location in cars have been lllustrated.Complsite Concept Vehicle(CCV) and its fabrication technologies are discussed.Lighter cars use less fuel and therefore produce less pollution.The following polymer processing technologies have been outlined:vibration molding,lost core molding,SMC technology,pultrusion,injection & compression molding,RIM,RRIM,SRIM,polymer glazing,CAD,etc.Functions of plastics in cars are discussed in detail.Examples of the use of reinforced plastics under the bonnet are given.Plastics cars have superior resistance to corrosion and low weight.Plastics components are recyclable and hence environment friendly.Polymers in plastics cars help to trim weight and improve fuel economy.They accomplish design integration for improved aerodynamics and fuel efficiency.Plastics cars discussed are CCV,VW Passat,an Australian Car,Electric Vehicle (EVI),etc.Materials breakthrough and future automotive plastics rpocessing technologies have been discussed in the global context of small cars.