Modified Plastics Material For Automobile Lightweight

Modified Plastics Material For Automobile Lightweight

Modified plastics are superior to general-purpose plastics in terms of flame retardancy, strength, impact resistance, and toughness. They have a wide range of downstream applications. Among them, the automotive industry has become the fastest growing field for modified plastics.It is expected that the average annual growth rate of domestic automotive modified plastics demand will be more than 15% in the next few years. This is mainly due to: First, the global automobile production growth rate is stable; second, the lightweight of automobiles has increased the amount of modified plastics in bicycles. 

The main applications of modified plastics in the automotive lightweight field are as follows:

1.Car Dashboard

At present, the instrument panel mainly has two forms: a hard instrument panel and a soft instrument panel. The soft instrument panel is generally used by higher-end automobiles, while the hard instrument panel is basically used in buses and trucks. Dashboards are generally made of modified PP materials. Modified PP is mainly made of rubber-like tougheners and inorganic fillers; dashboard skin materials are mainly PVC/ABS, and PVC is in impact and heat resistance. Relatively weak, ABS has better mechanical properties and molding processing capabilities, and can be combined with PVC. Combining the two can complement each other.

2.Door inner panel

At present, the more commonly used modified plastics for manufacturing door inner panels are ABS and PP, which are used to make a skeleton with a buffer layer on the surface. The buffer layer is made of PP foam, TPU, knitted polyester, etc. In some models of GM and Chevrolet, the frame and panel are made of glass fiber reinforced unsaturated polyester sheet molding compound (SMC). In some cars, natural fiber and PP are also made by hot pressing. The method can effectively reduce the weight of the door, reduce the cost, and significantly improve the sound insulation performance.

3.Body panels and chassis

Modified plastics are used to make car body covers. Compared with metal covers, the car body is smoother, more precise in size, and can be more optimized in terms of quality, noise, and vibration. Therefore, modified plastics are used in the roof, engine hood, and luggage compartment. Covers are widely used.

In the automobile chassis, due to the large load that needs to be borne, there is a big problem in plasticization. At present, modified plastics, such as modified PBT and modified POM, are mainly used in the wear-resistant moving parts of the transmission suspension system and the steering brake system.

4.Bumper

Automobile bumpers are one of the main components that use modified materials. At present, most bumpers on the market are made of plastic products. The bumper panels are made of PP, PC/ABS, PC/PBT and other materials, and the frame is Materials such as wood or metal, and the middle part is made of PP foam material. This type of material is not conducive to recycling from an environmental protection point of view. After continuous innovation, TPO can be used in the production of bumper panels, the skeleton can be made of glass fiber reinforced PP, the middle part can be made of foamed PP, and the same properties of materials can be used to make bumpers. Just clean and dry before recycling.

5.Fuel tank

Modified plastics also play an important role in the production of fuel tanks. Materials such as resin, adhesives, and PA can be mixed according to a certain proportion, and then blow molded. In addition, fuel tanks can also be made of materials such as ultra-high molecular weight high-density polyethylene, copolymerized PA, and EVOH resin.

6.Engine intake manifold for automotive

At present, most of the modified plastics in the manufacture of engine intake manifolds are made using AIM technology. In some models of Chrysler and Cadillac engines, glass fiber reinforced PA is applied to the intake manifold.

The temperature of the automobile engine will continue to rise during operation, so the parts surrounding the engine must withstand the high temperature of 220 degrees Celsius while maintaining ultra-high strength. If it is in relatively cold weather, it must also have the ability to withstand low temperatures. Therefore, PA66 materials are generally used to ensure the performance of plasticized parts.

7.Clutch Actuation System

Because clutches often work in high temperature environments and are affected by pressure lubricating agents, metal materials are used in traditional manufacturing processes. However, in continuous tests, the advantages of modified plastics to make clutch actuators are more obvious. When manufacturing clutch actuators Using 50% long fiber reinforced black nylon LFRT raw material, higher stability and cost saving.