Mazda has announced that it has developed a new bio-based engineering plastic that can be used for exterior design parts for automobiles - we're not sure how repair shops will reproduce the dyed colour though.
The new plastic, designed in conjunction with Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, will help Mazda to reduce its impact on the environment.
The plastic is made from plant-derived materials and can be dyed which will reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds associated with the painting process.
Dyed parts made from the bio-based engineering plastic feature a finish of higher-quality than can be achieved with traditional painted plastic, say the company. 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 has been proactively developing technologies in the biomass field for a number of years. To date 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 fibre.
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 says it has succeeded in making a material suitable for both interior and exterior parts.
This has been achieved by optimising the composition of a newly developed, highly mouldable and durable bioplastic base material with additives and colouring agents (patent pending), and optimising moulding 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 plasti makes it debut on interior parts for All-New Mazda MX-5. Moving forward, it will be used for exterior parts in other production models.
