Doors, automotive polymers

Major polymer applications silicon wafer carriers, pump, pipes, fittings, filtration, tubing, column packing, marine coatings, wear resistant products, coating for hostile environments, automotive weather seals for doors and windows... 

Major polymer applications composites, textiles, brush bristles, tire cords, electrical and electronics (connectors, circuit breakers, capacitor housings), automotive (distributor caps, mirror housings, door knobs), housewares, lighting, power tools, sporting goods, plumbing... 

Heterogeneous composite materials made from waste or recycled components such as polyolefin polymers and wood fibers were shown to be made compatible by T. Czvikovszky through the use of small amounts of monomers that graft onto the two normally incompatible phases of said mixtures. These compositions demonstrated sufficient material properties to be used in the construction of truck and automotive components, such as door and side panels. To exploit the use of such recycled resources, process techniques in mixing and compounding had to be developed. 

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. 

Natural fibre-reinforced polymers have created interest in the recent years in the automotive industry. Besides, other applications of natural fibre composites include door inner panel, seat back, roof inner panel, and so on. Natural fibres are being used in automotive industry due to the following reasons ... 

Polyarylates are used in automotive applications such as door handles, brackets, and headlamp and mirror housings. Polyarylates are also used in electrical applications for connectors and fuses. The polymer can be used in circuit board applications, because its high temperature resistance allows the part to survive exposure to the temperatures generated during soldering. The excellent UV resistance of these polymers allows them to be used as a coating for other thermoplastics for improved UV resistance of the part. The good heat resistance of polyarylates allows them to be used in applications such as fire helmets and shields. ... 

In this process, gas (nitrogen) is injected into the molten polymer to form hollow sections inside a part. The gas can be injected via the machine nozzle or through mold nozzles. GAIM is widely employed in the automotive, consumer and furniture industry, especially for parts with thick sections. Typical products are bumpers, dashboards, pillar covers, pedals, rear guidances, automotive door panels and arm rests, handles, copier doors, housings and covers, TV and monitor cabinets, CD-ROM trays, crates, chair legs, etc. [4]. 

The enthusiasm in this field is explained by the number of potential applications. For example wood-polymer composites (WPC), mostly manufactured through extmsion and injection moulding processes are used in automotive (dashboards or screen-doors of the vehicles) and construction applications (interior floor coverings, profiles for doors and windows, ornamental panels, external shutters, pavements, garage, or entrance doors). Replacement of wood products for building applications such as particleboard and fiberboard materials or injection mouldable wood is another area where natural fibers are generating increased interest. 

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