Ei välttämättä, nykypäivänä tehdään yllättäviäkin osia muovista. Varsinkin, kun tekniset muovit ovat parantuneet huomattavasti, ovat energiasäästävämpi valmistustapa ja edelleen kierrätys on muoveissa suhteellisen helppoa.9-5T kirjoitti:eiköhän lokasuojat ole kuitenkin terästä.
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Plastics Technology magazine, September 2007 kirjoitti:TPO Fenders on X5
BMW X5 FenderA technological breakthrough is claimed for the automotive industry with a front fender for the new BMW X5 incorporating enough additional components to warrant the description of “the world’s first fully integrated fender module.”
The front fender itself is molded of Daplen™ EF341AE TPO resin by Borealis. The material was specifically tailored to meet BMW’s exacting specifications for the X5 regarding improved production cost, safety, high quality aesthetics and environmental performance. The resulting TPO fender is the most complex and highly integrated, class A body application to be seen in production to date. Daplen EF341AE is a high-end, 30% mineral filled TPO based on proprietary Borstar technology.
It is the first time that a fender consolidates such parts and functions as headlamp reinforcements and wheel housing, cleaning systems, airbag sensors, and cooling devices. With integrated functions, this step change in innovation provides a 50% lighter-weight alternative to traditional steel components.
The fender can deform up to 80mm on impact, reducing significantly the potential for major injury to a pedestrian in the event of a low-speed collision and allowing conformance to European pedestrian collision regulations.
Daplen was also selected for its dimensional stability, which prevents warpage caused by expansion and contraction. It also creates an optimal design blend with the rest of the steel exterior body of the new BMW X5. It provides the smooth, high quality Class A surface appearance required.