Throughout the years, plastic has gained huge popularity within the automotive industry due to its numerous advantages. Automotive parts manufacturers are using advanced plastics, such as thermoplastics to produce lighter and more durable vehicles. Within this blog, we are going to discuss the many benefits of plastics in automotive design and manufacturing.
Cost-Efficiency
One of the main benefits of using plastic in automotive design & manufacturing is its lower cost than its popular counterparts such as metal due to plastic weighing significantly less. Additionally, we often see plastic being created using cost-effective manufacturing processes such as injection moulding which assist in the overall lower cost of utilising this material.
Durability
Plastic is very durable and doesn’t rust or corrode when exposed to harsh conditions, unlike its metal counterparts. Plastic such as polypropylene has heat-resistant properties and strong attributes to withstand hard impact making it perfect for the automotive industry.
Enhanced Safety
Certain plastics can absorb four times the crush energy of steel, which can really improve safety for passengers. Many car components rely heavily on plastic such as seat belts and airbags which gives an indication of how important plastic is for enhancing safety in car manufacturing.
Sustainability
Many plastic that is used within the automotive industry is recyclable which makes it a far more sustainable material to use. In today’s world, we can take comfort in the continued growth of using plastic within the automotive industry supports the efforts of reducing the environmental impact within the automotive industry.
Improved Fuel Efficiency
Plastics are much lighter than metal, therefore, by incorporating plastics into automotive manufacturing, you are creating lighter vehicles which consume less fuel. Plastics improving fuel efficiency within the automotive industry is another step towards lowering the overall environmental impact.
Enhanced Design Flexibility
Plastic is an extremely flexible material to manipulate by being able to be moulded in a range of shapes and sizes. This characteristic is very advantageous in the automotive industry due to the ease of creating complex designs and parts.
The benefits of using plastic in the automotive industry can’t be underestimated! This flexible lightweight material has many characteristics which make it an ideal choice for a range of applications! Why not get in touch today to discuss all of your acrylic plastic needs?