The automotive sector is one of the leading industries driving the rapid technology development in the United States. Automotive part suppliers are often directly involved in the design and development of new products, wherein replacement of traditional metal alloys with high-performance polymers has become a fairly standard practice due to their superior mechanical strength, chemical resistance and higher strength to weight properties. As an example, carbon fiber reinforced composites are 50% lighter than conventional steel and 30% lighter than aluminum while retaining the strength properties on par with steel and aluminum, making them an attractive alternative for parts suppliers and manufacturers.
The advanced polymers also help to achieve better fuel efficiency while allowing engineers to create innovative designs that add aesthetic value and yet are extremely durable and strong. Plastics and polymer composites not only provide weight savings to vehicles, but their high energy-absorption qualities enable them to meet very stringent safety standards that simulate collisions and other accidents. Taking into consideration the proposed laws for car emissions limits and given the several advantages of polymer composites, a steady growth is predicted for their applications in the automotive industry for the next several years.