Development of ecofriendly thermoplastics for automotive components

Abstract

Use of natural fiber thermoplastic components in the automotive industry can provide the advantages of weight reduction, cost reduction and recyclability, in addition to eco-efficiency and renewability compared to synthetic conventional materials. Natural fibers have recently become attractive to automotive industry as an alternative reinforcement for glass fiber reinforced thermoplastics. The best way to increase the fuel efficiency with out sacrificing safety is to employ fiber reinforced composite materials in the body of the cars so that weight reduction can be achieved. Designing the structures with the focus on improvement aspects is very important in the automotive industry. The goals are to increase the performance of the beams and also to find the solution to reduce the cost of beams hence able to reduce the production cost. The latest thermo plastic developments have resulted in higher material properties and more possibilities in the design of bumper beams. However the use of steel, Aluminum, Glass mat thermoplastics (GMT), sheet metal components (SMC) Bumpers becomes at higher cost than long fiber reinforced thermoplastics. This research is focused on development partially eco- friendly hybrid long fiber reinforced thermo plastics with natural kenaf fiber to enhance the desired mechanical properties for car bumper beams as automotive structural components.