Why Use Plastics and Rubbers in Automotive Applications

There are several reasons why plastics and rubbers are used in automotive 

Almost all of the polymer families are involved in automotive applications there are thermoplastics, where automotive applications is the third market in its consumption (with 13%), there are thermosets, where automotive is the second market in their consumption (with 14%), there are composites, a series of rubbers, and (TPE), for the latter three, automotive is the first market in their consumptions. 

Thermoplastic matrices, is particularly attractive for automotive applications PP, for example, is economical, it can be processed quickly and can provide much better mechanical properties such as impact resistance, (i.e., bumpers, body panels [11]). PA are successfully applied in both under hood (i.e., inlet manifolds, radiator fans) and interiors (instrument panels, doors, front-end structures). For better temperature performance and mechanical properties, in some special application areas (motor racing sector, gearbox parts), polyether ether ketone and polyphenylene sulfide ( high performance thermoplastics ) are also used as matrices. 

There are plastics composite applications for automotive bodies, bumpers, etc., and nanocomposites are already used in some interior parts (i.e., a structural seat back of a Honda car, is already made from a PP composite having 6% nanoclay instead of the usual 

30% glass fibre reinforced version of it). Increase of composites use in various parts of the cars, beginning from car bodies to the chassis, powertrain and fuel tank, is under study. 

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