“One of the toughest applications for plastics in automotive motors is in bearings, which have to be developed to withstand high temperatures, pressures, wear, and chemical aggression, but at lower cost, ... For this, companies need to employ a strong chemical engineering presence in their research and development divisions.”
“Injection molding high temperature resistant plastics provide part makers with design flexibility, high production rates, lower labor costs, and less or no finishing of molded parts, ... This compared to the costly and labor intensive forging, casting, cutting and grinding of metals are all reasons for the move towards polymers.”
“Their comparative lightness translates into greater fuel efficiency, a gain brought home by the ongoing spike in gasoline prices. As alternatives to the internal combustion engine get closer to commercialisation, lightweight materials will continue to be preferred over metals.”
