High performance plastics are playing an important role in the automotive industry these days.

The light weight of plastics makes for more fuel efficient vehicles.

It is estimated that every 10% reduction in vehicle weight results in a 5% to 7% reduction in fuel usage. Current economic and environmental concerns make the creation of more fuel efficient cars a top priority in the automotive industry. The use of modern materials like aluminium and carbon fiber are helpful, but the wise allocation of  plastics are making an increasing difference.

Some other advantages of high performance plastics used in transport vehicles include:

• minimal corrosion, allowing for longer vehicle life
• substantial design freedom, allowing advanced creativity and innovation
• flexibility in integrating components
• safety, comfort and economy
• recyclability.
• 1)      Polypropylene (PP)
• Polypropylene is a thermoplastic polymer used in a wide variety of applications.  A saturated addition polymer made from the monomer propylene, it is rugged and unusually resistant to many chemical solvents, bases and acids.
• Application: automotive bumpers, chemical tanks, cable insulation, gas cans, carpet fibers.
• 2)      Polyurethane (PUR)
• Solid Polyurethane is an elastomeric material of exceptional physical properties including toughness, flexibility, and resistance to abrasion and temperature.  Polyurethane has a broad hardness range, from eraser soft to bowling ball hard.  Other polyurethane characteristics include extremely high flex-life, high load-bearing capacity and outstanding resistance to weather, ozone, radiation, oil, gasoline and most solvents.
• Application: flexible foam seating, foam insulation panels, elastomeric wheels and tires, automotive suspension bushings, cushions, electrical potting compounds, hard plastic parts.

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