Green automotive applications

Betz M, Gediga J, Florin H, KreiBig J, Saur K (1999) The green tire - application of the life cycle engineering approach during the design phase of new automotive materials. 4th international conference on ecomaterials, Gifu, November 1999... 

Lightweighting, fuel efficiency, reduction of emissions, enhanced safety, green sourcing, and recycling are a few of the more recent needs articulated by today s consumers that have translated directly into the design of plastic parts for automotive applications. 

The chapter demonstrates that in spite of the incompatibility between hydrophilic natural fibres and hydrophobic polymeric matrices, the properties of natural fibre composites can be enhanced through chemical modifications. The chemical treatments have therefore played a key role in the increased applications of natural fibre composites in the automotive sector. Recent work has also shown that if some of the drawbacks of natural fibres can be adequately addressed, these materials can easily replace glass fibres in many applications. The chapter has also shown that there have been attempts to use natural fibre composites in structural applications, an area which has been hitherto the reserve of synthetic fibres like glass and aramid. The use of polymer nanocomposites in applications of natural fibre-reinforced composites, though at infancy, may provide means to address these efficiencies. Evidence-based life-cycle assessment of natural fibre-reinforced composites is required to build confidence in the green composites applications in automotive sector. 

Koronis G, Silva A, Fontul M (2013). Green composites A review of adequate materials for automotive applications. Compos Part B Eng, 44,120-127. 

In the recent years, new markets have arisen for biodegradable polymers such as poly(butylene adipate-terephthalate), poly(lactide), poly(butylenesuccinate), or poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) and poly(carbonates). They constitute a new class of green polymers with wide application potential for packaging, clothing, carpets, applications in automotive engineering, foils, and utilities in agriculture. 

Chromium oxide is equally important as a colorant and in its other industrial applications. As a pigment, it is used predominantly in the paint and coatings industry for high quality green paints with special requirements, especially for steel constructions (coil coating), facade coatings (emulsion paints), and automotive coatings. 

Applications automotive, food wrap films, green houses... 

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