Polymers In Automobile Industry 2q1u6m

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 polymer 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 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 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 , 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 ed 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 enger 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 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 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."

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