Application of Special Engineering Plastics in Automotive Industry

In order to improve the fuel economy, safety, comfort and environmental protection of automobiles, automobile lightweight has become an inevitable trend of the development of the automobile industry. Engineering plastics with its light weight, high strength, wear resistance, high temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, easy processing and many other advantages, become one of the first choice of automotive lightweight materials, in the automotive industry has been widely used.

The automotive industry is the most widely used and largest industrial category of engineering plastics in developed countries, and it is also one of the areas with the most potential for development of engineering plastics. The amount of plastic used in each car is one of the indicators to measure the level of automobile production technology. In developed countries such as Japan, the United States and Germany, the average use of plastic per car has exceeded 100 kilograms, accounting for an average of 8% of the total weight of the car. Engineering plastics account for about 10% of all automotive plastics.

Special engineering plastics refer to engineering plastics with excellent properties and functions, and are high-end products in engineering plastics. Compared with general engineering plastics, special engineering plastics have the following characteristics.

• Better performance: mechanical properties, heat resistance, chemical resistance, weather resistance and other aspects of special engineering plastics are better than general engineering plastics.
• The function is more unique: special engineering plastics have special functions such as electrical insulation, electrical conductivity, magnetic conductivity, optical property and biocompatibility.
• More widely used: special engineering plastics can be used to manufacture high-end products in aerospace, national defense, electronic appliances, medical equipment and other fields.

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The application of special engineering plastics in the automotive industry is multi-faceted, which not only improves the performance of the car, reduces the cost, but also increases the safety and environmental protection of the car. The following will detail the main application areas of special engineering plastics in the automotive industry:

1.Engine and transmission system

Special engineering plastics play a vital role in the engine and transmission system of automobiles. For example, polyamide plastics are widely used in the manufacture of engine hoods, water tanks, intake manifolds and other components because of their excellent high temperature and chemical resistance. In addition, high-temperature plastics such as PEEK and PPS are also widely used in the manufacture of seals, transmission gears and turbochargers.

2.Body components

Special engineering plastics also play a key role in the body components of automobiles. Carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) is a lightweight material commonly used to make components such as roofs, doors and hoods to reduce vehicle weight and improve fuel economy and driving performance.

3.Interior parts and exterior parts

Special engineering plastics are also widely used in automotive interior and exterior parts. For example, plastics such as ABS and PC are often used to make interior parts such as dashboards, door panels and center consoles, which have good surface texture and wear resistance.

4.Electrical and electronic components

Specialty engineering plastics also play a key role in the electrical and electronic components of cars. For example, components such as wire harness protective covers, connectors and sensor housings are often made of special engineering plastics to improve the stability and reliability of electrical systems.