Why are bumpers made of plastic instead of metal?

[Vera]

Reasons why bumpers are not made of metal: The reasons for using plastic materials include reducing vehicle weight, improving impact buffering during collisions, increasing the utilization rate of vulnerable parts, and lowering production process requirements to reduce costs. Reducing vehicle weight: Under the same volume conditions, plastic materials weigh significantly less than common metals. Using plastic for front and rear bumpers can appropriately reduce the vehicle's weight, achieving certain effects in lowering fuel consumption and improving braking efficiency. Improving impact buffering during collisions: Due to the stronger plasticity of plastic compared to metal, when a vehicle is subjected to external impact forces, plastic bumpers can absorb part of the impact through their own deformation and tearing, resulting in better energy absorption effects. This reduces vehicle damage and enhances the safety factor for occupants. Increasing the utilization rate of vulnerable parts: The front and rear bumpers of a vehicle are among the exterior components most prone to scratches. Since plastic has much stronger plasticity than metal and can automatically recover from minor contact collisions, it improves the utilization rate of these vulnerable parts. Lowering production process requirements and costs: Due to the stronger plasticity of plastic compared to metal, it can be appropriately folded and twisted, making the vehicle production and assembly process more convenient and efficient. Moreover, plastic materials can be installed and fixed using clips. If metal materials were fixed in the same way, it could pose a risk of detachment during high-speed driving. Therefore, using plastic materials not only reduces material costs but also lowers labor and process costs.