Plastics were initially evaluated and incorporated as instrument panel materials to reduce vehicle weight and improve fuel economy. But additional benefits, such as style/design, flexibility, occupant safety, cost savings, to name just a few, were also obtained.
Now, because of changing demands on performance and environemtnal requirements, instrument panel materials are once again changing, favoring the use of polycarbonate resins.
This paper will explain the six key criteria that will influence materials selection, both now and in the future, and will provide recommendations for achieving tangible and predictable procedures for producing a polycarbonate instrument panel.