Having a joint venture with JPC (Japan Polypropylene Corp.), Mazda Motors is set to initiate the use of resin materials for vehicles parts. This new trend is aimed to maintain the same quality of rigidness derived from using conformist materials whilst putting emphasis on the weight reduction issue. 
Mazda claims that the use of resin materials for automotive parts will result to thinner produced parts, which are not usually in the case when conventional resin is used. This also allows having a reduced amount of resin used in manufacturing vehicle parts.
Automobile’s bumpers are typically made of resin and weight issues cloud the production coast of production. Mazda contends that when polypropylene materials are used in manufacturing the front and rear bumpers will result in a 20% weight reduction. This is because the thickness of resin material is significant in bumper manufacturing. Thinner resin require less cooling and less cooling time for molding means less energy consumption. In the end production cost is lessen.
Mazda claims that the cooling process is aided with CAE technology, which allows optimizing the fluidity of resin material, used. The molding can be now a 30 seconds period compare to previous 60 seconds cooling time. This is a major achievement in weight reduction campaign for manufacturing car’s parts especially of front and rear bumpers. Mazda is eyeing the possibility of providing the lightest bumper in its CX-5 SUVs. The Mazda SUV is expected to be in the market next spring. Mazda upcoming models will sport the same resin-made bumpers.
While everybody is focusing on engine’s performance, Mazda is after the parts and accessories performance resulting to a lighter front and rear bumper. It is no doubt that bumper’s weight has great impact not only in fuel economy but also on the safety of the drivers. The bumpers are designed for impact absorption and for complementing great exterior with its molding and painting.
Mazda has been able to combined components in rubber and polypropylene, which results in distributing them in a structure for the surface and base material for bumpers. This structure allows paint film to be more adhesive and at the same time retains rigidness, and with reduced thickness for more allowance for impact absorption.
Mazda is confident that with this new development, they will continue to adhere to their goal of reducing the vehicle weight, which is an important factor in the car’s high performance and safety. Mazda is all for safety and saving lives on and off the roads.
Tags: CX-5, Mazda, Mazda Motors