The automotive sector is looking for lighter-weight materials for improved fuel economy and post-consumer recyclability to foster environmental sustainability. Engineering thermoplastics offer the ability to tailor-make components from polymers, and to design parts for enhanced performance, new functionality, part integration, and elimination of secondary operations. Parts made from engineering thermoplastics can be manufactured within specified cost constraints, and using manufacturing methods that offer a wide range of production flexibility. Additionally, plastics offer greater styling, improved energy absorption for pedestrian and occupant safety, and enhanced performance over traditional materials, all while reducing overall vehicle weight. This book is focused on the use of plastics in automobiles, not just for traditional applications such as interiors and body panels, but for more advanced uses such as under-the-hood components. It provides application technology development for various aspects of automotive design-concept design, CAD modeling, predictive engineering methods through CAE, manufacturing method simulation, and prototype and tool making.
Includes bibliographical references.