Engineering plastics have excellent all-around performance, high rigidity, little creep, high mechanical strength, good heat resistance, and good electrical insulation, allowing them to be used in place of metals as the primary material for engineering structures and to withstand harsh chemical and physical environments for an extended period of time.

Engineering plastics are increasingly being used in a variety of industries, including construction, automotive, home appliances, aviation, health care, sports, and electronics, thanks to technological advancements.

The push toward lighter-weight vehicles is leading to an increase in the usage of plastic in automotive components.

Next, I'll explain how the five engineering plastics used in the automobile industry—polyamide (PA), polycarbonate (PC), polyoxymethylene (POM), polyphenylene oxide (PPO), and polyester (PBT/PET)—are used.

PA Material

good mechanical qualities, great corrosion resistance, oil resistance, heat resistance, high modulus, and other benefits make PA an engineering plastic with good performance. By strengthening and modifying it to be flame-retardant, it may be widely employed in businesses like those that produce cars, electrical appliances, electric tools, and the like.

Glass fiber reinforcement increases PA's strength and dimensional stability in the automotive sector. The most prevalent location for modified PA in autos is the intake manifold.

Modified PA is also frequently used as the preferable material for various components such as cylinder head covers, ornamental engine covers, and engine covers. Using the cylinder head cover as an example, modified PA has a quality reduction of 50% and a cost reduction of 30% when compared to metal components.

Modified PA can also be used on other automobile components that experience stress, such as the oil filter, wipers, radiator grilles, etc.

PC material

PC may greatly increase its flame retardancy and strength capabilities by toughening, strengthening, flame retardancy, alloying, and other changes, making modified materials extensively utilized in vehicle parts, OA goods, electronic and electrical products, etc.

Due of its superior heat resistance, impact resistance, stiffness, and exceptional processing fluidity, modified PC is mostly utilized in the inside and outside decorating of automobiles. PC/ABS alloy and PC/PBT alloy are the most popular. Automobile dashboard components, antifreeze panels, door handles, downflow panels, brackets, steering column sheaths, ornamental panels, and air-conditioning system add-ons are all manufactured using PC/ABS alloys. The license plate cover and exhaust port of automobiles can be made of PC/PET alloy. Automobile external components like wheel covers, mirror housings, taillight covers, etc. can also be made using PC/ABS alloys. Large vehicle components like fenders may be processed using PC/ABS due to its strong formability.

POM material

POM is used extensively in the manufacture of vehicles, electrical gadgets, and household appliances because to its high hardness, wear resistance, creep resistance, and chemical corrosion resistance. The greatest potential market for POM materials is the automobile sector.

Automobile pumps, carburetor components, oil pipes, power valves, universal bearings, motor gears, cranks, handles, instrument panels, window lifters, electric switches, seat belt buckles, etc. may all be produced using modified POM. Modified POM excels in producing wear-resistant components like sliders, gears, and shaft sleeves. These components increase the service life of parts, reduce the amount of lubricating oil used, and wear on metals is minimal. In order to make bearings, gears, tie rods, and other components, they may so effectively replace copper, zinc, and other metals.

POM produces lightweight, quiet, simple-to-assemble vehicle parts that are becoming more and more common in the auto production sector.

PBT material

PBT is a high-performing engineering material that has outstanding heat resistance, good weather resistance, exceptional toughness and fatigue resistance, good electrical characteristics, and low water absorption. It is often used in autos, household appliances, and other sectors. Reinforcement and flame retardant modification may considerably increase its heat resistance, modulus, dimensional stability, and flame retardancy.

PBT is a material that is frequently used in the production of vehicle parts, including bumpers, carburetor parts, fenders, spoilers, spark plug terminal boards, fuel supply system parts, instrument panels, auto igniters, accelerator, and clutch pedals.

PBT alloys are frequently utilized in luxury automobiles. PBT/PC alloy has strong low temperature impact resistance, great wear resistance, low chemical corrosion resistance, good heat resistance, and easy processing. It also performs well when painted. It is mostly utilized in motorcycle fenders, automotive floor panels, and bumpers.

PBT and improved PA, PC, and POM compete fiercely with one another in the vehicle manufacturing sector. Water is easily absorbed by PA, while PC has inferior heat and drug resistance than PBT. Due to its superior water absorption resistance compared to PA, PBT will increasingly replace PA in automotive applications. Modified PBT is frequently utilized in situations with high relative humidity and high levels of humidity because moisture may quickly cause flexibility to decrease and electrical nodes are likely to cause corrosion. PBT is still usable properly in 80 °C and 90% relative humidity, and the impact is excellent.

PPO material PPO has outstanding physical and mechanical qualities, including low hygroscopicity, high strength, and good dimensional stability. It also has great heat resistance and electrical insulation. Such items as kettle lids, valve cores, water pumps, and impellers are frequently utilized in wading fields.

Modified PPO is mostly utilized as components in vehicles where strong heat resistance, flame retardancy, electrical characteristics, impact qualities, dimensional stability, and mechanical strength are necessary.

For instances when there are strict requirements for electrical insulation and good dimensional stability, such as wet, loaded, and situations, PPO/PS alloy is appropriate. It is appropriate for producing connection boxes and fuses, as well as car wheel covers, headlamp glass grooves, taillight housings, and other items. automotive electrical parts include circuit breaker housings and boxes.

PPO/PA alloys may be utilized to create big baffles, cushions, and rear spoilers for automobiles because of their superior mechanical qualities, dimensional stability, oil resistance, electrical insulation, and impact resistance.