What material are car bumpers made out of?
plastic
Most OEM bumpers are made out of plastic and feature an aluminum or steel reinforcement bar hidden in the middle. Some bumpers may also contain polypropylene in order to help absorb energy during an impact.
What material is best for car bumpers?
Plastic Bumpers
Plastic Bumpers Plastic is the preferred material for modern car bumpers for several reasons. First and foremost, plastic is much lighter and more aerodynamic than metal, which improves the car’s fuel efficiency. Plastic is also easier to shape, which is useful during both the manufacturing and bumper repair process.
Why would aluminum foam be a good choice of material for a car bumper?
The density of aluminum foam is about 0.6g/cm3, and it has a strong ability to absorb kinetic energy and make a better bumper.
What does the foam in a bumper do?
They are designed to absorb impact to the front and rear of vehicles and minimize low-speed collision damage. In the United States, passenger car bumpers must absorb a five mph impact from another vehicle with no damage to the car body. The foam or plastic make this possible.
What plastic is car bumper?
Bumpers of most modern automobiles have been made of a combination of polycarbonate (PC) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) called PC/ABS.
What plastic is used for car bumpers?
Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate. Like polypropylene, polycarbonate is so resistant to impact that it is often used for car bumpers and headlight lenses. This kind of car plastic is highly resistant to weathering, able to handle conditions from rain and snow to heat and cold.
What kind of plastic is my bumper?
Thermoplastic Olefin Thermoplastic olefins are a type used in the automotive industry because of their energy absorbing qualities, ease of manufacture and low cost. Most bumpers today are made of thermoplastic.
How is metal foam effective at absorbing the impact of a car crash?
Metal foam is found in the frame / substructure of some cars. This saves weight, but also adds strength to critical areas and provides improved safety, in the event of a crash / accident. Foams conduct heat very slowly, and dissipate the heat through the air filled pores of the internal matrix.
What are energy absorbing bumpers?
In general, bumper energy absorbers are designed to absorb minor collision energy by crushing or collapsing, thus reducing physical damage to the vehicle structure. Bumper energy absorbers are typically designed for one-time use and must be replaced if damaged.
Why do cars have Styrofoam?
Why is Styrofoam used? Because it is very lightweight and filled with billions of air pockets that enable it to be compressible but still retain enough structure to absorb and redistribute some of the impact force.
What are BMW bumpers made of?
Most BMW bumpers since about 2002 use impact-modified talc-filled polypropylene compounds. These are sometimes also called thermoplastic polyolefins or TPOs. Behind them you will typically find one of 2 impact absorbing structures made of foam.
What are Nissan bumpers made of?
Polyurethane (PUR), Reaction Injection Molding (RIM), Reinforced reaction injection molding (RRIM), Thermoset polyurethane — Most common on domestic vehicles.