In aerospace applications, lighter and stronger polymer composites would offer fuel savings, enhanced safety, and higher performance. In defense applications, new polymers will lead the way as materials of construction for many new weapons systems compo- nents. Water vapor from perspiration can pass through the fabric, but water from rain or snow does not penetrate the water-repellent finish. Plastic Components for Automobiles degradability of these packaging materials will help reverse the unwanted buildup of solid waste in industrialized societies. New products must be developed to eliminate environmental problems, to meet legislative require- ments in the energy and transportation sectors, and to enable further medical advances.
Chemical technologies pervade our lives.
Chemical process tech- nologies and their corresponding products are integral parts of the highly competitive international marketplace. The development of new polymer materials and advances in polymer processing are contributing to this tran- sition from metals to plastics. One driving force for the change is the need for weight reduction to obtain improved fuel economy. The development of improved reinforcements and adhesive bonding technologies will hasten the continued introduction of plastic components. Because plastics can be injection-molded, they offer a wider range of complex shapes than can be obtained with metals.