A car manufacturer needs to select a material for a new car bumper. The bumper must absorb impact energy in minor collisions and return to its original shap...
Question 1 Report
A car manufacturer needs to select a material for a new car bumper. The bumper must absorb impact energy in minor collisions and return to its original shape afterwards.
(a) State two material properties that are essential for a car bumper designed to absorb low-speed impacts. [2]
(b) Name one polymer suitable for manufacturing this bumper. [1]
Answer Details
(a) Two material properties essential for a car bumper designed to absorb low-speed impacts: [2]
- High impact resistance/toughness - the material must absorb the kinetic energy of a collision without cracking, shattering, or fragmenting. A tough material deforms plastically on impact rather than failing catastrophically. [1]
- Good flexibility/elasticity - the material must deform on impact and then return to its original shape (elastic recovery) after a minor, low-speed collision, so the bumper does not need replacing after every parking knock. [1]
(b) A suitable polymer for manufacturing this bumper is polypropylene (PP). [1] Polypropylene combines toughness, flexibility, and good elastic recovery, and it can be injection moulded into complex aerodynamic shapes. It is lightweight (low density), which reduces vehicle mass and improves fuel efficiency. ABS, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), and polycarbonate are also acceptable alternatives.
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