Term Paper

On the topic :
POLYMERS IN AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY

SubmittedTo: Mr.Neeraj Batra

Submitted By:
RAJA BOIPAI
Section:-M4001
Roll Number:-A67
Reg.No:-11011019
INTRODUCTION

Prior to the early 1920's, chemists doubted the existence of

molecules having molecular weights

greater than a few thousand. This limiting view was challenged

by Hermann Staudinger, a

German chemist with experience in studying natural compounds

such as rubber and cellulose.

In contrast to the prevailing rationalization of these substances as

aggregates of small

molecules, Staudinger proposed they were made up of

macromolecules composed of 10,000

or more atoms. He formulated apolymeric structure forrubber,

based on a repeating isoprene

unit (referred to as a monomer). For his contributions to chemistry,

Staudinger received the

1953 Nobel Prize. The termspolymer andmonomer were derived

from the Greek

roots poly (many), mono (one) and meros (part).

Recognition that polymeric macromolecules make up many

important natural materials was

followed by the creation of synthetic analogs having a variety of

properties. Indeed, applications

of these materials as fibers, flexible films, adhesives, resistant paints

and tough but light solids

have transformed modern society. Some important examples of

these substances are

discussed in the following sections.

HOW ARE PLASTICS MADE??

Most plastics are made using the hydrocarbons from natural

resources such as oil and natural gas and also other chemicals.

In technical terms plastics are produced by chemical bonding of

monomers into polymers. The size and structure of the polymer

molecule determines the properties of the plastics material allowing

huge variety and versatility.

There are two basic types of plastics - thermoplastics and

thermosets. Thermoplastics soften on heating and then harden again

when cooled. Thermosets never soften once they have been

moulded.

PLASTICS IN AUOMOBILE INDUSTRIES

A report published today shows a steady increase in the use of

plastics by Europe’s car manufacturing industry since the

1970s, rising to nearly two million tonnes today.

By volume, plastics are now the most widely specified material.

However, plastics’ low weight means they account for about 10

per cent of the total weight of a modern car.

The study, carried out by Mavel on behalf of the Association of

Plastics Manufacturers in Europe (APME), examines the use of

plastics in cars over the last three decades in Europe with

specific reference to France, Germany and Italy.

The report shows that this increase in the use of plastics is

particularly dramatic in certain types of cars. For example,

some of the cars surveyed registered a four-fold increase in

their use of plastics between the 1970s and 1990s.

It is estimated that, on average, 100 kilograms of plastics

replaces 200-300 kilograms of conventional material, reducing

fuel consumption by 750 litres over a life span of 150 000

kilometres.

Additional calculations across all cars suggest that this cuts oil

consumption by 12 million tonnes and reduces CO2 emissions

by 30 million tonnes per year in Western Europe alone. Twelve

million tonnes of oil equates to approximately 10 per cent of

passenger fuel consumption in Western Europe in 1996.

Plastics to build lighter cars

There are many examples in a modern car of weight savings

made possible by plastics: plastics-made bumpers are up to

10.4 kilograms lighter, engine covers 4.2 kilograms lighter and

plastics fuel tanks five kilograms lighter than those made of

conventional materials. In turn, chassis, drive trains and

transmission parts can all be made lighter as a result of having

to support a lower overall car weight.

These figures show the vital contribution plastics will make to

help the automotive industry meet environmental challenges.

They confirm what was already highlighted in a study, ‘The car

of the future, the future of the car’, carried out by IPTS and

published by the European Parliament, European Commission

DGXII and the STOA Panel in 1996. The authors report: "The

automotive industry is approaching an era that may

revolutionise its use of materials. The major aim of the industry

is to decrease the weight of the automobile in order to reduce

fuel consumption, and consequently emissions."

The industry’s move toward lighter vehicles means plastics

consumption in the automotive sector will increase

dramatically. For example, a study carried out in Japan by MITI

predicted that beyond 2000, use of plastics in the average car

could increase by 17 per cent from 115 kilograms (nine per

cent of average car weight) in 1989 to 220 kilograms (26 per

cent).

Plastics: reducing pollution and saving fossil fuels

Relatively little oil is needed to produce plastics. Western

Europe consumed over 26 million tonnes of plastics in 1996, of

which 7 per cent - nearly 2 million tonnes - were used in the

manufacture of new cars during that year . These plastics

represent just 0.3 per cent of oil consumption - just one

hundredth of the oil used as fuel by the transport sector as a

whole over the same period. Yet they are constantly helping to

reduce the amount of fossil fuel and resources consumed.

These savings will rise as plastics’ consumption in the

automotive industry increases.Commenting on the results of

the study, Patrick Peuch, director at APME’s Technical and

Environmental Centre, said: "In today’s average car, there are

already more than 1000 plastics parts of all sizes and shapes

all providing fine examples of the many benefits of plastics’

light weight, durability and versatility. With plastics

consumption set to rise steadily, cars in the next Millennium

will be lighter, safer and even better designed for people and

the environment through their whole life cycle."

REFERED WEBSITE

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