Performance of Plastic in Automotive Interiors

In automotive design, plastics have contributed to a multitude of innovations in safety, performance and fuel efficiency, but it requires never-ending research and improvement. The easiest and least expensive way to reduce the energy consumption and emissions of a vehicle is to reduce the weight of the vehicle. The ongoing development of advanced, high-performance polymers has dramatically increased their usage. Plastic solutions are presented in the car providing energy absorbing capabilities and therefore enhancing the safety performance. The thermoplastic structures in the interior serve purpose of absorbing impact energy while providing aesthetics and other functionality. Originally plastics were specified because they offered good mechanical properties combined with excellent appearance, including the possibility of self-coloring. Plastics are used mainly to make cars more energy efficient by reducing weight, together with providing durability, corrosion resistance, toughness, design flexibility, resiliency and high performance at low cost.