Polymer Composites for Automotive Applications

The last couple of decades have witnessed exceptional advancements in automotives; and the use of polymer composites (PCs) in making different automotive parts has emerged as an integral part of the advancement. Fiber-reinforced PCs offer weight benefits to automotives, thus enhancing fuel economy. Moreover, these composites can be engineered for versatile applications, e.g., interior and exterior body parts. Ease of manufacturing is another advantage of PCs, although several major technical considerations still need to address before engineering these composites for wide-scale acceptance in various automotive applications, especially for exterior body parts. However, PCs are a new class of materials, and developing state-of-the-art manufacturing technology may enhance the comfort and security of modern vehicles. This chapter outlines the utility and recent advances in PCs for various automotive applications. In addition, quality assurance and the advantages of PCs are also given. The potential of PCs for future perspectives is also discussed.

Keywords: Automotive, Fuel economy, Polymer composites.