Polymer materials are the youngest and most widely used materials in the world. Polymer materials include three major synthetic materials: plastic, Synthetic fiber and synthetic rubber. The development of plastics is the most rapid among them. Since the 1950s, there have been over 300 high-performance plastic varieties. The global plastic production has surpassed that of metals such as aluminum, copper, and zinc, with a growth rate that is twice that of steel. Up to now, plastics have been widely used in industrial fields and various industries, entering all households, completely changing and improving human living standards.
The invention and development of motorcycles are roughly in the same era as the invention and development of plastics. Therefore, discussing the development history and prospects of motorcycles cannot be separated from the main line of plastics
We look at the early motorcycles, taking the German military motorcycles during World War II as an example. They are basically steel machines, and their overall shape and performance are constrained by steel materials and processes. From the perspective of the overall appearance of the vehicle, the frame is a welded steel pipe structure, and the side cover is a flat type of thin steel plate stamping part. The mudguard can only be a single curved surface due to rolling process limitations. Although the fuel tank and lamp can be spherical, the shape is very simple due to metal stretching forming process and welding technology limitations, to the extent that it is compared to a winter melon type fuel tank. The overall appearance of the vehicle, formed by the integration of these elements, lacks both the aesthetic appearance of the exterior decoration and the smoothness of the vehicle's streamline.
The plastic varieties commonly used worldwide have formed four major varieties, mainly polyethylene, polystyrene polyvinyl chloride, and polypropylene. In terms of performance, it can be divided into thermosetting or thermoplastic plastics. The development of the plastic industry has brought a variety of plastic performance characteristics, such as Kaleidoscope, which has brought great application space to designers. In addition, the molding and processing technology of plastic began industrial application in the 1960s, and its processing technology has become increasingly perfect. Therefore, it is natural that some metal materials on motorcycles are gradually replaced by high-quality and low-cost plastic products. The use of plastic as a fully enclosed shell for motorcycles is a revolutionary advancement in the overall design of motorcycles.
Designing and manufacturing motorcycle components with plastic can bring progress in at least the following aspects:
1. The overall appearance of the motorcycle can achieve a streamlined and compact design, and the weight of the motorcycle can be significantly reduced by replacing steel with plastic, which greatly improves the power performance of the motorcycle;
2. The corrosion resistance of plastic can extend the service life of components, and plastic components generally have natural waterproof properties without special treatment; In addition, it has advantages such as good heat resistance and anti-static properties, which can meet the needs of different components;
3. Through plastic spraying, plastic electroplating, and decal technology, the overall appearance of the vehicle has been greatly enhanced, highlighting its individuality. A motorcycle with novel form, pleasant colors, and a sense of beauty will inevitably increase its added value, which is conducive to expanding the market;
With the continuous improvement of plastic processing technology, the modeling and connection technology of motorcycle three-dimensional surfaces are becoming more mature. Plastic components are formed in one go, reducing process and energy consumption, avoiding errors in component assembly process, and improving the overall quality