Researchers in Japan are working on a powerful material made from wood pulp. This wooden material is to replace the steel parts of cars. Work is also under way in the land of the rising sun to develop plastics that can withstand higher temperatures to replace metal parts near the engine as well. These are some of the innovations that are part of the trend to make cars lighter.
There is considerable pressure for weight reduction, especially in cars with hefty consumption, such as SUVs. Lighter cars use less fuel; 10% weight reduction leads roughly to 8% less fuel consumption. Electric car manufacturers are also trying to make their versions as light as possible. Here, increasing the range plays an important role. And so lighter wood may play a role in car production.
Researchers at Kyoto University have now developed a wood made from pulp, as strong as steel but 80% lighter. To this end, the wood pulp, which consists of millions of cellulose nanofibres, receives a chemical treatment in which the nanofibres are dissolved in plastic. Mixing the cellulose nanofibres with plastic creates a strong, hybrid material that the researchers believe could replace steel in car parts. This includes car doors, wings and engine covers. The material is being developed in collaboration with the Japanese government, car and other manufacturers.
Japan is also working on special plastics for car parts. For instance, the Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology is developing plastics from biological molecules. The result is lighter than steel and can be used at temperatures of up to 300 degrees Celsius. Until now, plastic parts were not used around the engine block because they could not handle the high temperatures. These new bio-plastics can now do so. Again, weight reduction is the big advantage of the material, which researchers say can be expected within five years.
