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Plastics in the automotive industry

J Maxwell

A survey of the role of plastics materials in the motor industry. It discusses progress in the different sectors of automotive engineering, and the possible effect of economic and environmental pressures on the growth of the plastics contribution. Emphasis is given to materials selection and the author explains how a material can be 'right' or 'wrong' for a particular job – and what extraneous factors could change things.

ISBN 1 85573 039 1
ISBN-13: 978 1 85573 039 7
March 1994
192 pages  234 x 156mm  hardback  
£150.00 / US$255.00 / €180.00

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Contents

Materials for cars
 - Plastics usage
 - History of automotive plastics
 - Why plastics?
 - Problems with plastics

Understanding plastics
 - Classifying plastics
 - Composites
 - Processes
 - Designing with plastics

Choosing plastics
 - The decisive properties
 - Characteristics of the polymer groups
 - Materials selection
 - Requirements for different application areas

Interiors
 - General
 - Plastics surfaces
 - Plastics structures and panel applications
 - Structural and mechanical components

Exteriors
 - Overview
 - The painting problem
 - Bumpers
 - Other exterior components

Engine, power train and chassis
 - The engine compartment
 - The cooling system
 - Underbonnet structures
 - Transmission
 - Engine ‘hang-on’ parts
 - Engine interiors
 - Composite engines
 - Suspension
 - Steering
 - Brakes
 - Fuel tanks

Electrics
 - Ignition
 - Battery boxes
 - Circuitry
 - Lighting and instrumentation
 - Other electrical equipment
 - Electronics

Recycling
 - Recycling: an unavoidable issue
 - The scrap problem
 - The alternatives for plastics
 - The energy aspect
 - Recycling composites
 - The pressure on designers
 - New recycling initiatives

Automotive plastics and the future
 - Design trends and legislation
 - Supplier involvement
 - Safety
 - Fuel economy and the energy equation
 - Environmental pollution
 - Plastics and future design