What material is the front bumper of a car made of
Bumpers are installed at the front and rear ends of a car. They not only have a decorative function but more importantly, they are safety devices that absorb and mitigate external impact forces, protect the vehicle body, and safeguard the safety of both the vehicle and its occupants.
Many years ago, the front and rear bumpers of automobiles were mainly made of metal materials. They were formed by stamping steel plates with a thickness of more than 3 millimeters into U-shaped channel steel, with a chrome-plated surface treatment. They were riveted or welded to the longitudinal beams of the frame, leaving a relatively large gap with the vehicle body. It seemed like an additional component and looked very unattractive.
With the development of the automotive industry and the extensive application of engineering plastics in it, automotive bumpers, as an important safety device, have also embarked on a path of innovation. At present, in addition to maintaining their original protective functions, the front and rear bumpers of automobiles also need to pursue harmony and unity with the vehicle body shape and their own lightweight. The front and rear bumpers of a car are both made of plastic, which people call plastic bumpers.
The outer plate and cushioning material are made of plastic, and the crossbeam is formed into U-shaped grooves by stamping cold-rolled thin plates with a thickness of about 1.5 millimeters. The outer panel and cushioning material are attached to the crossbeam, which is connected to the longitudinal beam of the frame by screws and can be removed at any time. The plastic used in this type of plastic bumper is mainly made of two materials: polyester and polypropylene, and is produced by injection molding. For instance, the bumper of the Peugeot 405 sedan is made of polyester-based materials and formed by reaction injection molding. The bumpers of Volkswagen's Audi 100, Golf, Shanghai's Santana, Tianjin's Xiali and other models of sedans are made of polypropylene materials through injection molding. There is another type of plastic called polycarbon-based abroad, which is impregnated with alloy components and processed by alloy injection molding. The bumpers processed in this way not only have high rigidity but also have the advantage of being weldable, and have good coating performance. Their usage in cars is increasing.
Bumpers serve functions such as safety protection, vehicle decoration, and improvement of the vehicle's aerodynamic characteristics. From a safety perspective, when a car is involved in a low-speed collision accident, it can act as a buffer to protect the front and rear vehicle bodies. It can play a certain role in protecting pedestrians when an accident occurs with them. From the perspective of appearance, it is decorative and has become an important component for decorating the exterior of a car. At the same time, car bumpers also have a certain aerodynamic effect.
At the same time, in order to reduce the harm to passengers in the event of a side collision, car doors are usually equipped with door bumpers to enhance the anti-collision impact force of the doors. This method is practical and simple, causing little change to the vehicle body structure, and has been widely promoted and used. As early as the 1993 Shenzhen International Auto Show, the Honda Accord on display had a part of its door cut open to specifically expose the door bumper to the audience, demonstrating its excellent safety performance.
Installing door bumpers involves placing several high-strength steel beams horizontally or diagonally within each door panel, serving as the front and rear bumpers of the vehicle. This ensures that the entire car is protected by bumpers at the front, back, left and right, forming an "impregnable wall" and providing the occupants with the maximum safety zone. Of course, installing such door bumpers will undoubtedly increase some costs for car manufacturers, but for the occupants of the car, it will greatly enhance safety and a sense of security.
After the front bumper of a car is damaged, it needs to be repaired or replaced according to the degree of damage, and the cost can be processed through insurance claims. The following are specific suggestions:
Judgment of the degree of injury
Minor damage (such as scratches, small depressions).
Severe damage (such as cracks, deformations).
Repair method
Plastic bumpers: They can be repaired with tools such as waste plastic boards and soldering irons, or fixed with a nail gun.
Metal bumpers: Professional sheet metal repair is required and the cost is relatively high.
Insurance claims process
Report the case immediately after ensuring safety.
The insurance company conducts an investigation and assessment of the damage to confirm the repair plan.
Choose a 4S store or auto repair shop for maintenance and keep the invoice.
Precautions
Aftermarket parts are cheaper but of uneven quality. It is recommended to give priority to original parts.
If you want to repair it by yourself, pay attention to problems such as loose screws and aged clips.
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