revolution in reducing consumption and vehicle emissions, comes the revolution of the materials

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After the revolution in reducing consumption and vehicle emissions, comes the revolution of the materials. The manufacturers are investigating to get materials to lighten the cars, which are easier to recycle and also to reduce dependence on oil in the vehicle components.

Currently, 70% of a car is metal, other 5% is liquid, 5% are materials such as glass and 20% final, polymers (plastics) that account for between 150 and 250 kilos of weight.

Drastically reduce the use of the latter is the task you have turned groups like the French PSA Peugeot Citroen. The goal is to replace organic source materials and has become one of the linchpins of its technical research, to the point that is one of the most advanced manufacturers in this field.

The purpose of PSA, which begins with this new strategy in 2010, is that for the next year 20% of the materials of their cars is of organic origin, natural fibers or biomaterials, ie organic plastics. In 2015 the percentage should reach 30% when only two years ago no more than 6%.

"We are renewing the materials as he had not done this industry since the 70s, when plastic was generalized for large parts such as bumpers and dashboards," says Louis David, French expert group.

In fact, the green components are already used today. For example, the piece that holds the outside rearview mirrors of the Peugeot 207 is made of polypropylene reinforced with hemp fibers have replaced the glass. And of the 170 polymer bearing the Citroen C3 Picasso, 11% are organic.

The strategy has several strands. On the one hand, to improve the parts that are made from recycled materials with the aim that in future, 50% by weight of the vehicle has that origin. Second, increased use of bio-materials (mainly natural fibers) and above all, increase the use of bioplastics, made from vegetable oil and are considered elements of the future.

Today, 90% of the plastics come from oil but they will gradually be changing for other plant origin such as soybean, sunflower or rapeseed. Their first application may be the seat foam. Apart from environmental benefits, these plastics can reduce the weight and getting cheaper and more flexible production.

The BMW Group is also working in that direction to find that, compared to other materials, thermoplastic polymers are greener than steel, aluminum or hard plastics. For example, achieve an improvement of 26% compared to steel in the effect on global warming. So the side panels of the 6 Series are made with them.

Another change will occur in the upholstery fabrics and the items used as insulators. Currently most are polyester, but the Austrian company already supplies to PSA Tencel fabrics cellulose extracted from wood waste, with a touch nicer, better microbial protection and breathable. These new fabrics will be in the new series models before 2011.

Volkswagen and Fiat doing the same. The Italian brand advanced their research by the Panda Aria, a concept unveiled in Geneva widely used materials of vegetable origin. The linings are made from natural fibers like cotton, linen or woven coconut fiber and details of biodegradable materials, while for the exterior has been used semi-transparent eco-resin panels.

But even for metals, 100% recyclable, look for alternatives. Since 2006, Seat is leading a project to investigate stronger and lighter steels to reduce weight of vehicle in which companies like Gestamp, Grupo Antolin or Viza and research centers in Galicia, Catalonia and Navarra.
A project called Matori

Matori PSA pilot project (innovative renewable source materials for the automobile), involving 14 companies, including Roquette and Arkema in the supply of biological polymers and Visteon, Valeo and Plastic Omnium in their application to the automobile.