Plastics are the most commonly used type of polymer. Plastics include a very wide range of materials that can be used for everything from body panels to bonding metal. Below is a chart designed to make it easier to understand this group of materials. The list is not absolute but covers the principle automotive plastics.
| Material |
Type |
Properties |
Uses |
Commercial Names |
ABS
(Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) |
Thermoplastic |
Very strong and tough; good resistance to heat deformation; good electrical properties. |
Bumpers, dashboards, interior door panels; generally used because of its resistance to wear and tear and good deformation properties. |
Abson, Delta, Cycolac, Denka, Magnum, Novodur, Terluran, Toyolac |
Acrylics
(poly-methylmethacrylate) |
Thermoplastic |
Average mechanical properties but excellent for transmitting light with good resistance to weathering. |
Transparent features; previously used for dashboard lighting. Can be used with a light source to create interesting surfaces in low light. |
|
Fluorocarbons
(PTFE / TFE) |
Thermoplastic |
Very low coefficient of friction; very good electrical properies; chemically inert under virtually all conditions. Can be used up to 260ºC |
High-temp electronic components; anti-adhesive coatings; anti-corrosive seals; bearings. Used generally to keep surfaces protected, clean and smooth. |
|
Polyamides
(nylons) |
Thermoplastic |
Strong and tough; resistant to abrasion; low coeffiecient of friction; absorbs water and several other liquids. |
Bushes and light-loaded gears and bearings. |
|
| Polycarbonates |
Thermoplastic |
Transparent; low water absorption; ductile; good resistance to impact; average chemical resistance. |
Headlight lenses, non-shatter sports car windows. Hardness is insufficient for daily use for windows on production vehicles (surface deterioration). |
|
Polyethylene
(PE) |
Thermoplastic |
Low strength, poor resistance to weathering; low coefficient of friction; electrically insulating. |
Battery parts; not substantial enough for most automotive applications. |
|
Polypropylene
(PP) |
Thermoplastic |
Cheap; good fatigue strength and electrical properties; chemically inert; poor UV resistance; resistant to heat distortion. |
Bumpers |
|
| Polystyrene |
Thermoplastic |
|
Interior trim; cheap alternative for low demand transparent applications (eg. interior light lenses). |
|
Vinyls
(usually Polyvinylchloride – PVC) |
Thermoplastic |
|
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| Polyester (PET / PETE) |
Thermoplastic |
|
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| Epoxies |
Thermoset |
|
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| Phenolics |
Thermoset |
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| Polyesters |
Thermoset |
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