Chemicals giant headquartered in Cologne, Germany, and LANXESS Group, which was detached from Bayer Group in 2004, are actively using plastics to replace traditional automotive metal parts such as springs and brake pedals.
Jens Fischer, general manager of the company's high-performance materials business, told reporters about the development results in this area.
Q: Which auto parts offer the best opportunity for weight loss?
A: The weight reduction potential of the front-end structure [ie, the frame-shaped part that connects the front dashboard and bumper to the carbody] is significant. Followed by the engine and transmission oil pan.
Q: The oil pan itself is already a light and simple part. How to further improve it?
A: Other functions, such as oil filters, can be integrated. Using steel can not do this.
Q: Plastic brakes and clutch pedals are innovations at LANXESS. But after replacing metal with plastic, will the driver lose the sense of solidity and texture when they touch these parts?
A: Of course not. Take BMW i3 as an example. The car is light and the interior is amazing.
Q: Is aluminum the best material for car weight loss?
A: The final winner is not limited to a certain material. You can use a combination of aluminum and plastic. There are also many developments in metal that will help to reduce weight. Plastics also go hand in hand. If you install a plastic-metal front end module, you will lose 50 or 60 pounds.
Q: Can we reduce vehicle weight by 20% without sacrificing safety or durability if all parts are maximized for weight reduction?
Answer: Yes.
Q: So what about 30%?
A: I think it is okay. But in terms of specific models, new features are taken into consideration – mostly electronic products. So if the weight of a car does not change, but adds some functions, it looks like it has not changed (it has actually been reduced). The automotive industry is extremely innovative and invests heavily in research and development. It still takes a long time before new production can be put into mass production. If the car uses existing technology, the average mpg will be far more than 30 miles per gallon.
Q: For plastic parts, is the performance after years of use a problem?
A: No. Plastic parts have been tested for long-term durability. Currently, there are 75 to 85 million plastic-intensive vehicles put into operation. And plastics can also be recycled and recycled.
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