Top 5 Materials Used in Auto Manufacturing
May 11, 2018
What are the essential materials used in automotive production?
- Steel
- Plastic
- Aluminum
- Rubber
- Glass
Even as a child, one can’t help but wonder what exactly are the different pieces of equipment and material that go into the process of vehicle construction. Cars are one of the greatest marvels of the modern world. The roaring zips of high-octane speed, the screeches of tire burnout, and the loud cries of a well-tuned engine and chambered muffler.
Cars, motorcycles, and automotive majesties of all sorts are made with world-class material that assures strength, speed, and beauty. Careful and meticulous touches all go into the implementation of high-fiber glasses and the forging of metals from the best steel suppliers in the Philippines.
Below are brief looks at the top 5 automotive materials that go into the manufacturing process:
The Strength and Durability of Steel
For vehicles of the contemporary era, most cars attribute most of their heavy-duty weight to steel. According to statistical data from 2007, the average car weighs a total of a whopping 2,400 lbs. (or 1,090 kg) in steel!
Steel is primarily utilized to create the underlying chassis, otherwise known as the cage that is located beneath a car’s body –essentially serving as a vehicle’s main exoskeleton that protects passengers from the event of a crash.
The Malleability of Plastic
Similar to the follies of a young and perplexed Duston Hoffman in 1967’s The Graduate, the (hilariously) spoken word: ‘plastics’ comes to mind. With the many developments in plastic manufacturing over recent decades, vehicles of this day and age consist of about 50 percent plastic.
Dashboards, gauges, dials, switches, vents, door handles, airbags –mainly interior utilities and minute engine parts are made of plastic.
The Futuristic Splendor of Aluminum
Aluminum is the newest material attribute to the car manufacturing process. The incredibly tough yet lightweight nature of aluminum is used in about 9 percent of contemporary vehicles. This type of alloy is utilized in the creation of body panels for lighter and more performance-centered vehicles.
Modern supercars beginning with the Acura NSX sometime in the early 90s began the wave of superior race-worthy sports cars. The wheels of cars such as the Audi R8 also consist of aluminum.
The Strong Elasticity of Rubber
It should not be taken lightly how tires are such a vital part of a car. An interesting piece of trivia is that 75 percent of the world’s rubber production is used to make tires! Besides tires, the flexibility of rubber is also used in many of a car’s internal parts that prevent wearing down.
Glass
Similar to rubber, glass is often the unsung hero of car production. Besides the evident creation of windshields, glass is also used in many other areas of a car; acting as an insulation agent. As technology continues to move forward in this digitally dominated world, glass is continuing to be a part of worldly innovations such as for navigation screens and backup cameras.
Key Takeaway
Automotive vehicles are certainly the modern world’s most practical and aesthetic gifts. In order to truly appreciate cars in all their tremendous glory, it’s an important precursor that you get acquainted with the crucial materials that come into play for parts such as chambered mufflers made with alloy from the best steel suppliers in the Philippines and all around the world.
