Criteria for Engineering Plastics Selection in Low-end Cars Applications in Brazil - Electronic Simulation

The main objective of this paper is to propose some basic economical and objective criteria for the engineering plastics selection in applications for the low-end (low cost) cars (vehicles) segment (known in Brazil as ‘Carros Populares’), to replace traditional metallic parts. Engineering plastics are preferably chosen due to their easy processing, design flexibility, dimensional stability and an excellent corrosion/chemical resistance. This paper will approach about the possibility of using an electronic simulation in the initial phase of the engineering plastics selection, increasing the choice efficacy and diminishing costs: as a practical consulting guide to engineers/professionals from the Brazilian automotive sector.