PLASTIC IN CARS

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33680, 1 November 1974, Page 4

PLASTIC IN CARS

Plastic is likely to continue to be used in cars in increasing amounts, with the amount of plastic in each new car rising by about 14 per cent a year to a total of more than 1801 b (81.8 kg.) a car by 1980, it has been predicted in Britain. Although the use of plastic as a structural and body material is rising, the use of the material for upholstery may decline. Buyers are increasingly swinging to textile seatcovering materials, and as

more dirt and flameresistant textiles become available, the use of plastic is expected to drop. The textiles used for seats may not necessarily be natural ones, however, as increasing use is already being made of brushed nylons and polyester fabrics. For bodywork and trim, car-makers have found that the ability of plastics to be coloured, rather than painted, is no advantage. The colour is difficult to control and match with neaby metal surfaces, so painting remains the method of final finishing. Making a part of plastic often costs more for material than steel, but because a very complicated shape can be easily made in plastic, finishing and assembly times are reduced enough to more than offset the initial disadvantage.