EPS Newsline

Volume 1 | Summer 2013

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13 EPS Drives High Tech Vehicle Performance and Protection Many people are aware that EPS is the gold standard for infant car seat safety. With its high energy absorption index EPS provides the ideal level of protection. Cars and trucks are mainly composed of steel, but the use of lightweight alternatives has dramatically increased in the last couple of decades. Whereas almost no plastic could be found on a car from the 1950s, today's automobiles have more than 260 pounds (120 kilograms) of plastic on board, according to the Transportation Energy Data Book. Plastics improve fuel economy by reducing weight and allowing designers to streamline the shape of vehicles. EPS foam makes a significant contribution toward enabling modern vehicles to be lighter, more fuel efficient and safer than older models yet still be stylish enough to attract new buyers. By using EPS, the automotive industry meets these design challenges in an elegant and cost effective manner. Automotive manufacturers routinely use EPS in car bumpers, trunk and rear seat panels and head and side impact components. EPS foam can also be found in the dashboard, under seat cushions, behind door trim and arm rests, over headliners and in knee bolsters. Many vehicles are manufactured with EPS in floor pads that offer protection to the driver and passenger. Today's aerodynamic design demands are perfectly suited for the variety of shapes that can be achieved with EPS while maximizing impact absorption. A potential major application for EPS in the future is hybrid vehicle battery protection. Numerous EPS designs come equipped on various makes and models with different components and features. Yet they all serve the same function: protecting the occupants of the vehicle from traumatic shock during a collision and lessening body damage to the vehicle by absorbing collision force. In addition to providing increased safety to passengers, EPS foam also increases passenger comfort by insulating sound and temperature. EPS foam can be found insulating air conditioning equipment, reducing transmission of road, wind and engine noise to the cabin. Thanks to EPS foam, modern vehicles have fewer rattles and squeaks than ever, and the best protection. n

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