Automotive Components and Their Materials
Analysing Automotive Components and Their Materials
Automotive Components
We’ve produced just about every type of automotive component that exists.
We’ve plastic injection moulded automotive parts, and we’ve also CNC machined them.
Each of these parts has been made to tight tolerances and has been quality tested up to and including PPAP Level 3 to ensure full compliance with industry regulations.
We’ve produced parts for the exteriors of vehicles, including:
- Exterior light panels and fixtures
- Front and rear car bumpers
- Trims
- Windscreen wipers
- Car badges for some of the biggest brands in the marketplace
We’ve also produced interior features, such as:
- Instrument panels
- Interior lighting fixtures
- Door panels and consoles
And then there’s the components we’ve manufactured for under the bonnet:
- Expansion tanks
- Gaskets
- Fuel systems
- Engine components
Our extensive experience in the automotive sector makes us the first choice for many of the leading players in the global marketplace.
Commonly Used Materials in the Automotive Sector
Manufacturers must adhere to strict industry regulations when manufacturing automotive components.
Applications need to be durable, robust, reliable, and highly functional. They may also need to be resistant to corrosion, chemicals, and heat sources.
The plastic polymer grades of materials which are selected must undergo a material qualification process to ensure compliance with key industry standards.
The right material can improve efficiencies, yield savings in energy and cost, and reduce manufacturing time. Lighter materials are often employed because they have positive implications for fuel efficiency.
The following plastic polymers are often used in the automotive manufacturing process. Each of them has their own unique properties and advantages.
Let’s take a closer look at each of them….
ABS
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) has a high shine finish but is also tough, durable and heat resistant. It can be used to manufacture dashboards and wheel covers.
Polypropylene
Polypropylene is durable and resistant to chemical materials. It can be used for manufacturing bumpers and plastic dash components.
Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate is known for its toughness. It is resistant to extreme weather and can therefore be used as an external feature for door handles and wing mirrors.
Nylon 6/6
Ideal for plastic injection moulding, nylon is known for its strength, cost-effectiveness, and resilience.
Polyurethane
Polyurethane can be soft or hard, and is extremely resistant to solvents, radiation, and the environment. This material has a variety of applications, including vehicle suspension brushes and seating.
Polyvinyl chloride
A commonly used plastic in modern vehicles, polyvinyl chloride is flexible and heat resistant. This material lends itself to a countless number of automotive applications.
Polyoxymethylene
Highly rigid and stable, polyoxymethylene can be used to fabricate interior and exterior trims, fuel system parts, and gears. It is highly resistant to temperature, chemicals, and fuel.
