Why are bumpers made of plastic instead of metal?
1 Answers
Bumpers are made of plastic to reduce vehicle weight, improve impact absorption during collisions, increase the service life of vulnerable parts, and lower production process requirements to reduce costs. Reducing vehicle weight: For the same volume, plastic is much lighter than common metals. Using plastic for front and rear bumpers can appropriately reduce the overall vehicle weight, leading to improved fuel efficiency and braking performance. Improving impact absorption during collisions: Due to its higher plasticity compared to metal, plastic bumpers can deform and tear upon impact, absorbing a portion of the collision force. This results in better energy absorption, reducing vehicle damage and enhancing passenger safety. Increasing the service life of vulnerable parts: The front and rear bumpers are among the most frequently scratched exterior components of a vehicle. Because plastic has much higher plasticity than metal and can often self-recover from minor impacts, it extends the service life of these vulnerable parts. Lowering production process requirements and costs: Plastic's superior plasticity allows for easier folding and twisting during vehicle production and assembly, making the process more efficient. Additionally, plastic bumpers can be installed using clips, whereas metal bumpers fixed this way could pose a risk of detachment at high speeds. Therefore, using plastic not only reduces material costs but also lowers labor and production costs.
