There’s a war underway in engineering materials. The winners will be the lightest, strongest and the best able to perform under harsh conditions, ranging from fire to extremes of heat. The big new factor pushing performance requirements is environmental.
Concerns about global warming are pushing engineers to consider plastic compounds based on sustainable resources, ranging from corn to soybeans and potatoes. This year DuPont will commercialize new grades of engineering plastics and elastomers that are hybrids of bioplastics and oil-based plastics. Metabolix is developing an injection-moldable plastic based on metabolic engineering.
Developers are pushing the applications’ envelope on traditional thermoplastics to take advantage of their inherently light weight. One example is a concept off-road vehicle sheathed in polycarbonate. The vehicle is powered by a two-cylinder, ethanol-fueled engine and emits 15 times less carbon dioxide than a typical off-road vehicle.
Meanwhile, metals are very much in the fray. Aluminum also provides significant weight reduction to cars and has the added benefit of a proven track record in recycling. Because of its cost, aluminum tends to be featured in only high-end cars, such as the new Buick Enclave crossover vehicle.
Also at play, as an environmental factor, are the growing European restrictions on materials usage. Another trend affecting materials’ selection is a growing emphasis on innovation and styling. For example, Nokia wanted a new design look for its mobile phones. It went for an ultra-slim model fashioned in aluminum or stainless steel for a high-end look and feel.
Increasingly, processing technology is also playing an important role in improving styling and performance and this special supplement also takes a look at new routes to process materials. Also, don’t miss the section on new materials and technologies to make prototypes.
doug.smock@reedbusiness.com
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