Automotive Plastics and Composites

Introduction.

Industry Analysis.

The Changing Structure of the Automotive Components Industry.

Plastics and Reinforcements Used in Automobile Construction.

Thermoplastics.

Styrene-based thermoplastics.

Polyurethanes (PUR).

Thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs).

Styrene block copolymers (TPE-S).

Thermoset resins.

(Thermoset) polyurethanes (PUR).

Reinforcements.

Natural fibres.

Particulate reinforcement.

Plastics Processing Methods.

Thermoplastic processes.

GMT-sheet moulding.

Powder slush moulding.

Thermosetting processes.

Injection compression moulding.

Reinforced reaction injection moulding (RRIM).

Plastic painting processes.

Competition Between Plastics and Other Materials.
Superplastic forming.

Prospects for aluminium.

Cost comparisons between steel, aluminium and plastic composite structures.

Environmental and Safety Requirements, Customer Demand.

Car exterior impacts.

Fuel consumption and weight reduction, fuel quality and exhaust xases.

Fuel quality.

Recycling and Disposal.

Four stages in recycling policy.

Issues in plastics recycling.

Limited recycling of thermosets.

Examples of the Use of Plastics for Specific Components and Systems.
Body panels.

Electrical and electronic control systems.

Instrument panels and cockpit components.

Markets.

Global car production to 2007.

Plastics usage.

Profiles of Major Car Producers. Automotive industry trends.

Profiles of the Major Suppliers of Plastic Components to the Car Industry.

Directory of Major Car Makers.

Directory of Representative Plastic Components Suppliers.