Automotive plastic parts can be roughly divided into functional parts and structural parts according to their main uses.
Functional parts are independent parts that use some special physicochemical properties of materials, such as plastic oil-containing bearings.
Structural components are coverings, mountings, shells, beams, etc. that work with the mechanical properties of the applied material.
However, this division is also relative, often taking the two into consideration or taking one as the main. Functional parts or functional parts usually need to meet certain structural requirements on the basis of ensuring the required physical and chemical properties, such as plastic folding and plastic leaf springs. The structural parts must also meet the necessary physical performance requirements under the premise of ensuring certain mechanical properties. For example, the car bumper must not only withstand the impact of the entire vehicle on the cement wall at a speed of 8km / h. It must also have good weather resistance; the overall plastic instrument panel, because many internal and external parts (automotive instruments, etc.) must be installed on it The load is large, not only requires accurate dimensions, good rigidity, high heat deformation temperature, exposure to light, and small creep, but also it must withstand a 165mm diameter 6.8kg ball pendulum at a speed of 25km / h to absorb sufficient energy Without being destroyed; also like the engine cooling fan, under high temperature baking and strong vibration, the root of the blade must withstand the pulling force formed by the huge centrifugal force of 6000r / min.
In short. Although the functional requirements of various structural components are very different, the most basic thermal and mechanical performance indicators that must meet the requirements of polymer materials and reflect the material properties of components must be able to be proposed. With the development of the plastics industry, the emergence of various new resins and various high-performance materials obtained through modification methods such as alloys, blends, and composites will also inevitably meet the automotive industry's requirements for functional plastics and structural plastics and their Various comprehensive performance index requirements of the materials used have gradually expanded the application range of plastics in automobiles.