The automotive industry is the largest consumer of raw materials of natural or derived origin. In the past few years, users have mainly focused on stability and efficiency when choosing auto parts.The automotive industry uses a variety of raw materials such as steel, aluminum, rubber, glass, etc., and uses different combinations of materials to manufacture each part.Auto parts manufacturers are always concerned when it comes to their choice of raw material sources and their impact on the final product. Some raw materials are as follows:
Steel
Steel is one of the heaviest and most widely used materials in automobile manufacturing in modern industry. It accounts for a large portion of a car's mass. It contributes significantly to the weight of auto parts, with the World Steel Association reporting that a typical model used an average of 1,800 pounds (900 kilograms) of steel in 2019. Since the average 2022 model weighs just over 4,000 pounds, steel accounts for a large portion of its mass.
Steel is the main material for manufacturing door panels, car chassis and support beams, and is also used in car exhaust pipes and mufflers. It has better ability to absorb impact. Sedans use an average of 2,400 pounds of steel, while SUVs use 3,000 pounds. The steel used in the manufacture of auto parts is extracted from ores in the earth, and different types of steel are used to make different parts. They help you stay safe on the road because it is a metal that is responsible for the weight and support of the car.
Plastic
Plastic is the most commonly used material in automobile manufacturing. In recent years, it has accounted for approximately 50% of the typical model volume. According to studies, 8 to 10 percent of a car's weight is made of plastic. Strong, cost-effective, and able to be molded into almost any shape and form, plastic is used in your car's air conditioning vents, floors, switches, handles, and in the construction of many parts inside your engine. They are malleable and still strong enough to maintain the shape of the structure,it is lighter than metal, which helps reduce the overall weight of the vehicle, thereby improving fuel economy.
Plastics are a challenger to steel because of their prominence in car manufacturing. Plastics make up almost half of all automotive parts, and their durability, versatility and lightweight properties make them ideal materials for different parts.
Aluminum
Aluminum usage is increasing as auto parts manufacturers realize its stiffness and toughness without being so heavy. Aluminum is lightweight and durable compared to other metals, making it ideal for certain automotive parts, and its use has found its place in the automotive parts manufacturing industry.
In 1970, it accounted for only 2% of total auto parts; today, it accounts for 15% of total auto parts. Aluminum has become an important component in making wheels and is also used to make different engine parts because of its malleability, which reduces fuel consumption and improves performance. Although it is not as durable as iron, it is lighter, which improves performance.
Rubber
What most people don’t know is that a large portion of the rubber produced is used to make automotive parts. Like plastic, rubber is cheap, durable, and flexible. It works in a variety of components and handles heat well as the car heats up. Rubber makes engine mounts, wiper blade seals, hoses and belts.
Fiberglass
Most people think of glass and fiberglass as the same material. However, it is not. Fiberglass is mostly made from small strands of air woven and coated with a resin coating that provides tensile strength and heat resistance, plus it allows for something smaller and lighter.
Fiberglass brings many benefits to the automotive industry. The main purpose of using fiberglass in the automotive industry is to provide insulation. It can be used on front bumpers, doors, roofs, casings and wheels. It is non-corrosive, thus helping to replace steel in areas where steel is susceptible to corrosion. Fiberglass is fire resistant. In the event of an accident, users can exit the vehicle unscathed. In addition, another benefit of fiberglass is that it is not prone to rust.
Titanium
Titanium is an expensive metal that is resistant to corrosion and has a lower density. Any auto parts manufacturer can use titanium to make different parts of the car.
Titanium is mainly used in the manufacture of internal combustion engine parts. Using this metal can reduce fuel consumption and increase the efficiency of cars, and also helps reduce noise levels during engine combustion. Some companies are using it on metal parts that would traditionally use steel and aluminum, mainly to make cars look more aesthetically pleasing. However, due to its high cost, the use of this metal is limited to a few manufacturers.
Copper
Copper is mainly used in automobile wiring and any other electronic components. Although the amount is not large, it plays a vital role in the wiring process. Copper wires run through different systems in the car, such as radios, security systems and charging points. This metal has better thermal conductivity and is used in radiators and other electrical connections in cars. Apart from this, it is also used in starters, radios and other security systems.
Lead
The most important use of lead in the automotive industry is in batteries. Most wheels are made from lead, aluminum and some fiberglass. Because lead is an excellent metal because it's heavy and helps balance the car. Even the batteries for automatic and electric cars contain lead in their construction, and since this metal is slightly heavier to bear weight, varying proportions of lead are added to fiberglass tires to increase their load-bearing capacity.
The battery is also made of lead, which keeps it at a safe temperature even as the car heats up. Because they maintain the temperature and keep it at a safe level. So when it comes to stability and weight balance, the only metal used is lead.
Magnesium
Since the 1930s, magnesium has been used to make steering wheels and many interior parts because of its lightweight properties, which make it lighter and perform better. It’s remarkable because it’s 75% lighter than steel and 33% lighter than aluminum. However, it is only used in a small area so as not to lose the balance of the vehicle.
In addition, magnesium is also used in the front end of cars, which also contributes to better handling and steering. So it is also widely used in the auto parts manufacturing industry.
Glass
Currently, glass is used for car windshields, navigation screens, and with the advent of technology, glass is used to make rear lenses, which also helps to get a clear view from the back, and it can help the driver understand more clearly what they are doing What to do and where to go, this prevents more damage from traffic accidents, laminated glass is also used to make different parts of cars.
Windshields are made from laminated glass, which involves placing a thin layer of vinyl between two pieces of glass. This ensures that the shutter will not appear when the glass is crushed. Glass lamination ensures the highest level of safety for users, especially in the event of a crash.
With the above information, you have understood the question "What are cars made of?" and you can understand your car better. The type of metal and other materials used in the car will determine cost and weight. Car manufacturing is not that simple as it involves different materials in different proportions. In short, the automotive industry is the most important source of large amounts of raw materials consumed in the production process. Welcome to follow us to learn more.
