Mazda Develops Bio-based Engineering Plastic Featuring High-Quality Finish without Paint and Suitable for Exterior Vehicle Pa...
December 10 2014 - 1:13AM
JCN Newswire (English)
- Prototype low-impact "Mazda Biotechmaterial" parts to be
exhibited at Eco-Products 2014 in Japan -
Mazda Motor Corporation has announced that, in conjunction with
Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, it has developed a new bio-based
engineering plastic that can be used for exterior design parts for
automobiles. The new plastic will help Mazda to reduce its impact
on the environment in a number of important ways. As the plastic is
made from plant-derived materials, its adoption will help to curb
the use of petroleum resources and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
Furthermore, the material can be dyed and emissions of volatile
organic compounds associated with the painting process reduced.
Dyed parts made from the bio-based engineering plastic feature a
finish of higher-quality than can be achieved with traditional
painted plastic. The deep hue and smooth, mirror-like finish of the
surface make the newly-developed plastic suitable for external
vehicle parts with a high design factor.
Mazda will display prototype "Mazda Biotechmaterial" parts made
from the bio-based engineering plastic at Eco-Products 2014. One of
Japan's largest exhibitions of environmental technologies and
environmentally-friendly products and services, Eco Products 2014
opens Thursday, December 11 through Saturday December 13, 2014 at
Tokyo Big Sight.
Mazda has been proactively developing technologies in the biomass
field for a number of years. To date, under the "Mazda
Biotechmaterial" name, the company has succeeded in developing the
automotive industry's first high-strength heat-resistant
plant-derived bioplastic for auto interior parts, and the world's
first biofabric for vehicle seat upholstery made entirely from
plant-derived fiber. However, to be suitable for exterior parts,
plastics are required to possess not only a high quality finish,
but also excellent weather, scratch and impact resistance in order
to stand up to harsh environmental factors to which they are
exposed. Achieving this combination of characteristics with
bioplastics has posed a technical challenge.
Now, Mazda has succeeded in making a material suitable for both
interior and exterior parts. This has been achieved by optimizing
the composition of a newly developed, highly moldable and durable
bioplastic base material with additives and coloring agents (patent
pending), and optimizing molding specifications. This will enable
the company to produce parts that are as durable as conventional
painted ABS plastic parts yet feature a higher quality finish.
This bio-based engineering plastic will be used for the first time
for interior parts for the all-new Mazda MX-5 which will be
launched globally in 2015. Moving forward, it will be used for
exterior parts in other production models.
Mazda will continue proactively developing unique technologies to
help achieve a sustainable society with the aim of developing
products that provide both driving pleasure and outstanding
environmental and safety performance.
About Mazda
Mazda Motor Corporation (TSE:7261) started manufacturing tools in
1929 and soon branched out into production of trucks for commercial
use. In the early 1960s, Mazda launched its first passenger car
models and began developing rotary engines. Still headquartered in
Hiroshima in western Japan, Mazda today ranks as one of Japan's
leading automakers, and exports cars to the United States and
Europe for over 30 years. For more information, please visit
www.mazda.com.
Source: Mazda
Copyright 2014 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved.
www.japancorp.net