POLYMER MATRIX COMPOSITE-MATERIALS IN AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRIES

It is noted that PMC application to automobiles has been gradually inc reasing for the last 20 years in Japan. However, as of 1992, it is est imated that PMCs represent less than 0.1 wt% of the component material s of mid-sized and compact-sized passenger cars in Japan, and these ac count for a large share of the domestic passenger car market. In order for PMCs to be applied to automobiles to a considerable extent, it is essential that the technologies for recycling, and cost reduction, an d for producing materials with low specific gravity and high Young's m odulus are created in the near future.