Although metal alloys remain the material of choice for motors and gearboxes, analysts from Frost & Sullivan in their latest study note high-temperature resistant plastics play an increasingly important role for the automotive industry. The study, Advances in High Temperature Plastics for Motors and Gears (378), indicates that PEEK, nylon, glass-filled polypropylene, and PBT are finding new applications in fuel tanks, ignition devices, pumps, and valves.

"[Plastics] lower weight is advantageous when calculating total fuel efficiency, a topic that is getting more attention as petrol prices increase," says Michael Valenti, Frost & Sullivan analyst. "As soon as alternatives to combustion motor cars come on the market, these lighter materials will become the materials of preference."

Despite high-temperature plastics'' many advantages such as easy service, high service life, rust resistance, and noise-dampening qualities, they are still not being used to their fullest extent as standard products because of their high price and moisture absorption problems, says Valenti.