ABSTRACT
Hydrocarbon-emission control, fuel economy and plastics recycling are three issues which will obviously impact the automotive industry. Disposal or retrieval of plastic components in junked cars is a concern of automotive plastic suppliers. The automotive companies are free to meet these impact standards any way they feel best fits the design of the car. A most intriguing one is side-restraint air bags — either coming from the door panel or the center rest arm area. Side-impact crashes often cause internal injuries and the next step in this process will be geared toward protection of the head. Early suggestions include laminated glass and softer interiors. Soaring landfill costs and increased environmental awareness have turned car recyclability into one of the largest engineering issues of the decade, the major participants being material suppliers and automakers. A recent Society of Automotive Engineers annual show unveiled all-aluminium cars primarily because of the metal’s advanced recycling profile compared to plastic.
