For lighter cars, a heavier plastics diet

Journal Article · Wed Sep 17 04:00:00 EDT 1980 · Chem. Week; (United States)

OSTI ID:6366928

The competition between plastics and aluminum for use in automobile components will intensify after 1985, since up to that time the automobile industry will rely primarily on size reduction to reduce automobile weights. If 1985 automobiles are to achieve 50 mpg, the average weight will have to be cut from the current 2120 lb to 1300 lb, which will require the use of 1000 lb of lightweight material. The cost of plastics in the lightweight car would be less than the cost of aluminum, and the equipment for working plastics is cheaper than metalworking equipment. The equipment for working plastics operates more slowly , however, and plastics cannot withstand the 400/sup 0/F heat of paint ovens, or acquire as good a finish as aluminum. According to the Society of the Plastics Industry Inc., the 1979 uses of plastics in U.S. transportation equipment amounted to (in millions of lb): all thermosets, 569; polyesters, 362; urea and melamine, 24; phenolics, 171; polyurethane foam, 418; all thermoplastics, 1365; low-density polyethylene, 56; high-density polyethylene, 90; polypropylene, 260; ABS and SAN, 317; polystyrene, 23; nylon, 96; PVC, 270; all other thermoplastics, 187; and all plastics (excluding polyurethane foam), 1934. Uses of plastics in specific automobile models are discussed.

• OSTI ID: 6366928
• Journal Information: Chem. Week; (United States), Journal Name: Chem. Week; (United States) Vol. 127:12; ISSN CHWKA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320203* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Transportation-- Land & Roadway
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360100 -- Metals & Alloys
360400 -- Polymers & Plastics-- (-1987)
ALUMINIUM
AUTOMOBILES
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DATA
ELEMENTS
FUEL ECONOMY
INFORMATION
MATERIALS
METALS
NUMERICAL DATA
PETROCHEMICALS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PLASTICS
SYNTHETIC MATERIALS
USES
VEHICLES
WEIGHT