1. Automotive Glass
Ordinary Glass: Early automobiles used ordinary sheet glass.
Tempered Glass: Made from ordinary glass through processes such as heating and cooling.
Laminated Glass: Composed of multiple layers of glass bonded together, with a film between each layer.
To ensure the safety of drivers and passengers, current automobiles use laminated glass for their windshields, which offers better safety. Due to cost considerations, tempered glass is used for rear windshields and windows.
2. Application of Rubber in Automobiles
Rubber has excellent elasticity, with a maximum elongation of 800%–1000%, and it quickly returns to its original shape after external force is removed. It also possesses advantages such as strong shock absorption, wear resistance, sound insulation, good insulation, energy storage, and certain corrosion resistance and strength. The main disadvantage of rubber is its susceptibility to aging; after aging, it loses elasticity, hardens, becomes brittle, sticky, and may even crack. Prolonged use or storage, exposure to light, and high temperatures all accelerate rubber aging. Synthetic rubber is the most widely used type in automobiles. Synthetic rubber mainly includes seven varieties: styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), butadiene rubber (BR), chloroprene rubber (CBR), isoprene rubber (IPR), butyl rubber (butyl rubber), EPDM rubber (EPDM), and nitrile rubber (NBR).
3. Applications of Plastics in Automobiles
Polypropylene (PP)
Advantages: High flexural strength, lightweight, fatigue resistance, high-temperature mechanical properties
Disadvantages: Brittle below 0℃, poor weather resistance
Applications: Steering wheel, dashboard, bumper, pedals, fan cover, lamp housing, etc.
Polyurethane (PU)
Advantages: High tensile/tear strength, good resilience, chemical resistance
Disadvantages: Performance decreases after additives evaporate
Applications: Seat cushions, armrests, headrests, bumpers, mudguards, engine hood Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
Advantages: Flame retardant, self-extinguishing, noise and vibration damping, high strength, low price
Disadvantages: Poor thermal stability, hardens at low temperatures, irreversible deformation
Applications: Gaskets, door trim panels, decorative coverings
Polyethylene (PE)
Advantages: Low density, acid and alkali resistance, good dielectric properties, low cost
Disadvantages: Poor self-extinguishing properties, difficult to bond and print
Applications: Fuel tanks, mudguards, steering wheels, liquid storage tanks, interior trim parts
ABS Resin
Advantages: Impact resistant High strength, easy to electroplate, low price, easy to process
Disadvantages: Poor weather resistance, poor heat resistance
Applications: Radiator grilles, instrument panels, control boxes, lamp housings
Acrylic resin (PMMA)
Advantages: Good optical properties, weather resistance, UV resistance
Disadvantages: Easily scratched, not resistant to organic solvents
Applications: Headlight covers (front/rear), turn signal covers
Polyamide (PA)
Advantages: High strength, impact resistance, oil resistance, abrasion resistance
Disadvantages: High water absorption, strong impact resistance in dry environments Temperature drop
Applications: Air/oil filters, water pump housings, fans, brake fluid reservoirs
Polyoxymethylene (POM)
Advantages: Dimensional stability, low water absorption, abrasion resistance, good elasticity
Disadvantages: No self-extinguishing properties, high shrinkage rate
Applications: Valves, impellers, gears, handles
Polycarbonate (PC)
Advantages: High impact strength, heat resistance, transparency, weather resistance
Disadvantages: Poor solvent resistance, prone to stress cracking, low fatigue strength
Applications: Bumpers, scale plates, heater base plates
