Auto Plastics & Alternative Materials

**dprox** · May 17th, 2007 03:39 AM

Next to space exploration, the auto industry has always been a playground for new technologies (polymers, reinforced plastics, ceramics, etc). If you have info, news or recommendations on alternative automotive materials, please post it here.

Spinning off from the PhUV prototype thread discussions on sheetmetal vs reinforced plastic (http://tsikot.yehey.com/forums/showp...postcount=507), here's a pitch for autobody plastics, just so we don't shut the door to future technologies.

PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) seems to be a good contender for future car bodies. In the textile industry, it's called polyester. In the beverage industry, it's your ubiquitous plastic water bottle.

The US Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) has material on "Recycled PET Compounds for Automotive Applications" - http://stinet.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb...fier=ADD443519

Here are links to Chrysler's own research into plastic car bodies. They call them "CCV" or Composite Concept Vehicles, using PET. The project was really for developing countries, but for reasons of "logistics" and corporate politics (the Chrysler-DaimlerBenz merger), the CCV program was terminated in 1998. Hmmm. Plastic na, naging bakal pa ulit!
Siguro bad siya para sa steel industry, kaya nilagot siya.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_CCV
http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z...V/default.aspx
http://www.azom.com/details.asp?ArticleID=1347

**wildthing** · May 18th, 2007 11:21 AM

kaso PET is not biodegradable di ba? Highly flamable din in case of accident.

mas realistic pa sa akin yung fiberglass, carbon fiber and kevlar fibers and resin bodies

**safeorigin** · May 18th, 2007 04:34 PM

I experimented with bamboo fibers at home. durable din ito kahit paano. steps:

1. cut a bamboo
2. remove the fibers(might cause you painful splinters)
3. create a bundle of fibers then twist until compact and looks like a thick yarn
4. kiln dry(i used uling fire)
5. apply adhesive resin to harden the fiber
6. combine the fibers and glue together using adhesive to produce a sheet
7. viola! bamboo fiber sheet

**dprox** · May 18th, 2007 05:05 PM

Originally Posted by safeorigin

...
5. apply adhesive resin to harden the fiber
6. combine the fibers and glue together using adhesive to produce a sheet
7. viola! bamboo fiber sheet

Congratulations safeorigin!
It's good to know there are people like you who actually leave the computer and get down and dirty TRYING things out!

BTW, what adhesive did you use? Have you experimented with several?
Ever try epoxy? Of course, the best would be resin & hardener na ginagamit sa fiberglass.
Pwede kaya yan sa minor automotive parts like cover plates and sidings?
Right now I'm thinking that if your experiments are successful, baka pwede yan sa scale modeling as part of the design process.

**architect** · May 18th, 2007 10:03 PM

Article on Stabilized Aluminum Foam - http://www.aluminum.org/ANTemplate.c...ContentID=7089

**safeorigin** · May 19th, 2007 12:17 PM

yup, adhesive resin+hardener gamit ko. cool tingnan. mukang matte carbon fiber ang looks. recommend ko is 3 layer sheet ang gawin nyo para matibay. kaya kahit magpatong 5 kilo.

**drey** · May 19th, 2007 07:26 PM

Originally Posted by safeorigin

yup, adhesive resin+hardener gamit ko. cool tingnan. mukang matte carbon fiber ang looks. recommend ko is 3 layer sheet ang gawin nyo para matibay. kaya kahit magpatong 5 kilo.

dude... pics naman kahit i-PM mo nalang kung takot ka pa rin...

**safeorigin** · May 19th, 2007 09:44 PM

bakit pa kelangan pa ng picture kung pwede ka naman gumawa. hehehe

subukan mo rin kaya magexperiment para magimprove ang blood flow mo. masyado ka na matagal umupo sa harap ng PC mo.

**drey** · May 19th, 2007 09:51 PM

ala bamboo dito eh...

pero pag-uwi ko Bukidnon... I want to make use of all my resources lalo na sa backyard personal shop ng papa ko!

OT: Bubuhayin ko mga patay na kotse! hehehe