Automotive Plastics and Composites

Following the success of the first (1995) edition, this fully updated report will provide a global overview of the use of automotive plastics and composites in passenger vehicles, with an analysis of markets and trends to the year 2007. Special attention is given to vehicle weight reduction.

For a PDF version of the report please call Tina Enright on +44 (0) 1865 843008 for price details.

For corporate management, senior marketing, technical management, business development professionals, industry analysts and consultants

Chapter headings and selected sections:

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.