Automotive components fenders

Figure 2. Projected RRIM market for automotive front fenders divided into major components. Basis RRIM polyurethane containing 25% glass fiber weight of each fender = 5 lbs.

The automotive industry started to use plastics in 1946. Since then, its content steadily increases (see Figure 16.4). Today, the plastics for automotive apphcations are dominated by polymer alloys, blends, and composites. The reason for it is the need for automotive parts to show a wide range of performance characteristics that are virtually impossible to meet using a single-component polymer. Thus, for example, in Saturn, front fenders and rear quarter panels are from PA/PPE, door outer skins are from PC/ABS, the bumper fascias are TPO, etc. 

Uses of Ethylene-Propylene Rubbers. EPDM and EPR vulcanizates are used in extruded profiles, cable insulation and jacketing, and roofing membranes. There are many automotive uses radiator hose, door and trunk seals, insulation, jacketing, and others. These elastomers are also used in applications such as window and architectural profiles, dock fenders, and washing-machine hoses. In short, their applications are extensive and diverse. Ethylene-propylene rubbers may be the most versatile of general-purpose rubbers. In addition, EP rubbers are added to polyolefin plastics as impact modifiers and as components of certain thermoplastic elastomer compositions (e.g., thermoplastic vulcanizates, which are discussed later in this chapter). 

Automotive industry, construction industry, household appliances, electrical appliances, military application, aircraft and aerospace industries Automobile parts like hood, fenders, panels, bodies, aircraft components, furniture, electrical encapsulation, household articles, fibre composites for boat and other marine applications, solar energy panels, building panels, fuel tanks, radomes, tractor parts, transformer cover, electrical panels, helmet, grating, printed circuit board. Fenders, air conditioner panels, refrigerator parts, pressure tank, pipe and tubing, satellite dish antennae... 

Continuous improvement on the performance of glass fiber-reinforced polypropylene has been gaining ground to replace metal and other more expensive composite materials. Examples can be found in the weed trimmer from Black and Decker, the housing and adapter plate for pumps of Hayward Pool Products, air-cleaner housings, and trays for light trucks (172). The impact grade is suitable for hockey skate components, automotive fender liners, and ammo boxes. 

In fact, various areas of application for fiber reinforced composites exist, e.g. in the automotive area they could be used for crash elements, dashboards, fenders or leaf springs. On the one hand, some of these components are already produced from fiber reinforced polymeric composites but, on the other hand, they usually just replace the original metal designs. So the peculiarities of fiber reinforced composites are not considered or only partially exploited (such as specific stiffness and strength as well as the high capacity of energy absorption). In order to... 

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