Innovation is the name of the game in the automotive industry as car companies constantly strive to improve fuel efficiency, performance, safety, and style. And plastics help make this possible.
Versatile, strong, and lightweight, plastics make up 50 percent of the volume of new cars but account for only 10-12 percent of the weight, so they help make cars lighter and more fuel efficient. For every 10 percent reduction in weight, fuel economy improves by 5-7 percent, saving you money at the gas pump and resulting in fewer C02 emissions.
Modern plastics – whether made to be resilient and flexible, soft and cushioned, or tough and shatter-resistant – play a critical role in helping to improve automobile safety. And auto designers rely on the versatility of plastics when designing today’s stylish cars.
So where might plastics be playing a role in your vehicle? Check it out:
Body & Exterior
Foam-filled body structures: Filling thin-walled, hollow structures in vehicles (such as the areas between your car’s windows, door panels, bumpers, or frames) with rigid, plastic foam can improve the structural strength of the vehicle without adding significant weight.
Plastic body panels & bumpers: Plastic body panels and front and rear bumpers are designed to absorb impact energy in the event of a crash, so that much of the energy is kept away from the occupants. These structures, when made of plastic materials, can weigh as much as 50 percent less while absorbing four to five times more energy than steel or aluminum.
Windows & headlights: Plastic windshields and headlamps are helping drivers see more clearly while enhancing design options. Windshields are shatter-resistant thanks to a thin layer of plastic sandwiched between two layers of glass, which is lighter and stronger than tempered glass. Headlamps are also lighter and more shatter-resistant thanks to the use of plastic.
Plastic paint film: Plastic paint film is slowly replacing traditional automotive paint on some parts of new cars. 15 times thicker than traditional paint, this paint film is more resistant to scratches, chips, and UV degradations, and retains a high-gloss, showroom shine longer than traditional paint.
Interior
Safety features: Interior safety features such as seat belts and air bags are made of materials such as tough, tear-resistant nylon to help protect you and your passengers in the event of a collision.
Today’s bottles, tomorrow’s upholstery: Some manufacturers are using post-consumer recycled plastic and plant-based plastics in innovative interior applications, including upholstery and foams used to cushion passenger seats.
Powertrain & Chassis
Plastic fuel lines & tank: Plastic fuel tanks have several advantages over traditional steel fuel tanks that are prone to corrosion from fuel and exterior elements like dirt, salt, and road chemicals. A plastic fuel tank made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) is inert to the corrosive environments inside and outside of the tank. A plastic fuel tank also has a key safety feature: since it can be manufactured as a single part without soldered seams, there are no seams to fail in a collision.
Plastic housings for electronics & braking systems: These plastic housings protect electronics and brake systems from corrosion, heat, and environmental damage to help keep key vehicle systems working smoothly.
Hybrid & electric vehicle batteries: New alternative energy vehicles incorporate advances in battery technology using new-generation lithium-polymer batteries that are smaller and run cooler. So where are the plastics in these batteries? For lithium-polymer, read “lithium-plastic.” Lithium-polymer batteries are widely used in cell phones today, and tomorrow they may power your plug-in car.
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I’m embarrassed to say that I didn’t realize that they make cars lighter and therefore more fuel efficient. Seems like a no brainer now!
http://www.imalazymom.com
I didn’t know that manufacturers are using recycled plastic for some interior features. Glad they are though!
Surprised plastics are used in fuel lines.
It was surprising to find out that plastics help make automobile finishes scratch-resistant. I knew that body parts were made from plastics, but didn’t realize they were used with the paint job!
AIR BAGS! plastic is responsible for saving your life. This is great!
I am for anything that will help our earth, less fuel, no polution, anything to ease our carbon footprint. Big automobiles included!!!
I was surprised the most about the paint. I had no idea plastic could be turn into paint and I love the fact that it makes it more scratch resistant. Currently I have scratch marks made by a dog “greeting me upon my arrival ” that can not be buffed out.
I am most suprised by the fact the plastic can be turned into paint. I had no idea and would love that! No more scratch marks from dogs “greeting me” on my arrival to their home.
Wish my truck had more plastic paint on it. Too many dinges and scratches.
Want a new recycles-plactic electric car.
i like plastic that is reusable
None of this is surprising at all… To save on fuel consumption, gut out unnecessary elements in your car. Remove trim, seats, etc… If you don’t use it. Another tip: large wheels not only make your vehicle look stupid, but decrease fuel efficiency as well. This especially goes out to “good for nothing else than a status symbol” Cadillac, Denali & the like.
If you have a lighter car when you get in to a wreck you may not come out of it alive i woul;d rather have back the old style cars with steel in them ty
Awesome, I did not know about the plastic paint film !!! Can’t wait until more cars use plastic paint !!
I prefer plastic body panels as opposed to metal, which just rusts and dings.
very interesting
i want a new car like this
Plastic paint film? Why did they not do this sooner? My car hood has tons of scratches and chips and the paint is peeling around the trunk.
So all these companies are going GREEN, but to achieve this they have to use plastic, so are car companies going to encourage recycling of plastic, guess ensuring the need for new vehicles? So what is more planet friendly, fuel effiecency or the use of plastic and the cost in the furure?
Plastics making the wind-shield shatter resistant. I am following and liking.
wow I had no clue that they make so many parts of an auto inside and out and these days we need to build things using less of our natural resources and use some of the trash that we recycle to replace them. I want my kids grand kids etc etc to be able to enjoy what god has giving us in abundance, that we used without replacing. I am only 42 and I would have laughed my ass off if someone told me that I was going to have to buy my water. I can remember when I was younger and thirsty without money I could drive up to a place like McDonald burger king ect ect and they would give me a cup of ice and water at no charge . What is it that our children are going to have to pay for that they take advantage of it being free
plastics is used in so many ways, we don’t even realize how important, available and the countless ways we interact with them every day.. from our car, food, clothing.. the possiblities are seeminly endless.
Any reduction of waste, and plastic is huge source of waste on our planet, is a wonderful thing! I love the innovation behind this, it is encouraging to see that companies are moving forward with more progressive concepts that tap ito our available resources :)
very impressive and innovative….great article, so glad that so much can be done now a days with recycled plastic. thank you
recycle plastic to use for planting vegetables and flowers
DON’T FORGET EVERYONE… AS MUCH AS I LOVE TO RECYCLE ALSO…. WE OWN A TOWING SERVICE…. KEEP IN MIND, THE MORE “PLASTIC” IN AND ON A VEHICLE THE MORE DANGEROUS IT IS…. WE TOW IN ALL KINDS OF VEHICLES FROM WRECKS ( A LOT OF THEM FATALITIES ) BECAUSE THEY MADE WITH “PLASTIC” AND/OR FIBERGLASS…. ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS WEAR SAFTY BELTS AND DRIVE WITH CAUTION AND WATCH OTHER DRIVERS :) ESPECIALLY NOW AROUND HOLIDAYS WITH LOTS OF PEOPLE TRAVELING…..
Thank you for your comment. Besides seat belts and air bags, plastics play an important role in helping to keep us safe in cars in other ways. Steel structures that support a vehicle’s roof can be covered with a ribbed plastic that protects against head injuries during a crash, while plastic-ribbed knee bolsters help absorb energy during a crash.
wow i am stunned with the “plastic can be turned into paint” <—- I need this BAD ! :) for my car and " plastics are used in fuel lines " ? hmmm interesting to say the least !
FB Fan ;)
Plastic cars have been around for years google Kit Cars, Kelmark GT, Ultima GTR, just to name a few. Most boats are made of plastic now too like Baja and Gibson. Carbon Fiber is HOT item for racers for years it’s going mainstream now, why because it’s very lite weight.
I was amazed to learn that decorative or advertising ‘skins’ are now transitioning to acutal paint jobs. That means that it would be infinitely easier to ‘repaint’ your car should it get damaged, or even to customize your car to your personality. Soon, we’ll have the ability to order custom car skins!
50% of volume to only 10-12% of weight is a much larger ratio than I would have guessed! And plastic’s ability to absorb impact more efficiently than metal is impressive – I would never guess that plastic provides a safety benefit over metal in some cases.
It’s always dazzling to remember where we’d be without plastics!
I was in a major accident where and SUV hit my compact car- it scratched the entire side of my car and cracked my plastic bumper panel. I know, for me- I’m THANKFUL that SUV wasn’t all steel headed at me because I wouldn’t be doing this now!
Wow! I had no idea plastic was used so much on cars these days, 50 percent of the volume thats alot. I also didn’t know you could recycle plastic bags, anyone know where exactly?
What I was actually ‘shocked’ to learn about though was the Plastic Paint Film. I don’t really know what they put in paint never would of thought plastic would be part of it though. It certainly sounds like it makes for a pretty good paint film too. Stronger & thicker with a longer lasting glossy shine; seems better overall than the traditional stuff. Time for automotive paint to start a new tradition in its films, seems to me. Wish I had some on my car, cause I need some. Do they sell the stuff anywhere?
Please visit http://www.earth911.com for information on plastic bag recycling — and search by zip code. Plastic paint film is applied to some new cars — you can ask car dealers for more information. You also can try various search engines (try: “in mold paint film”) to view more examples.
I was surprised to learn that plastic could be turned into paint.
Awesome, plastic is reusable and lighter. But don`t forget the passengers security with metal frames inside plastic covers
Just think that only 50 years ago we used materials like brass, wood and leather in vehicles, think how expensive a car made with type of materials would be today
I new about vehicles being made from fiber glass but not plastic and thats including the interior upholstery.
I didn’t know that they did this either. As I always say, it’s always good to learn something new everyday.
AWESOME!!!
wow – i didnt know about using a layer of plastic for the paint finish…though it does make a lot of sense
Better protection for longer
I did not know that they were using plastic paint films on cars and that it is thicker than the traditional paint.
Good article, much I didn’t know…
What surprised me most about using plastics is that they meke up 50% of the volume of new cars but account for only 10-12 % of the weight so they make cars lighter and more fuel efficient…for every 10% reduction in weight, fuel economy improves by 5-7 % saving us money at the gas pump and fewer CO2 emmisions..
This has been very enlighting, I have an 05 Thunderbird with plastic front end and trunk lid plus bumpers. Makes 4 a quit ride plus the hard top is plastic and only 75 – 80 lbs. easy on easy off.plus a lot more inside and out value covers lights and grills.
Plastic in the paint – that’s a new one.
This is very interesting. Plastic is everywhere!
How about a plastic-rubber compound that extends the life,wear & tear on tires? Industry wide compounds that make “run flats” a standard in the automotive industry?
The shatter resistant windshields, made from plastic? So interesting!
How much more is made with plastic?
Please check out ‘Going Places’ http://plasticsmakeitpossible.com/category/plastics-in-your-life/going-places/ for more information on plastics and automobiles.
I was amazed to learn that decorative or advertising ‘skins’ are now transitioning to acutal paint jobs. That means that it would be infinitely easier to ‘repaint’ your car should it get damaged, or even to customize your car to your personality. Soon, we’ll have the ability to order custom car skins!
It occurred to me as I read about plastic gas tanks, which at first seemed like a weak substitute, that in a collision plastic will give a little and is less likely therefore to leak gas or cause an explosion. If you have ever been to a burn ward, that alone is great news.
It occurred to me as I read about plastic gas tanks, I thought about radiators. I recently had someone crash into my car and, had the rad not burst, it would have been driveable.
I was surprised and pleased to learn about the plastic paint. Innovative in the sense that it will keep a vehicles looking new for a much long time. Only concern about cars being made with so much plastic is the safety of the humans inside. I am all for the environment, but I think that we should be moving alot faster towards solar vehicles and electric vehicles before we use plastic boxes to drive down a highway with going 100 miles an hour. As safe as I drive who knows what someone else is doing on the road. I prefer being encased by a heavy vehicle that will keep me alive in a crash. I vote heavy solar vehicles for the future:)