Photo: Solvay Chemicals
We take for granted the fact that cars are made from metal. The old jalopies rust, flex over bumps and require huge lumps of cast steel called motors to move. However, things are changing by the day in the automotive industry.
BMW made chassis from carbon fiber reinforced plastic; wheels for racing are made from carbon fiber, and many of the body panels on today's cars can be fabricated from plastic.
A company called Solvay Chemicals has partnered up with US-based engineer Matt Holtzberg to take things a step further by making an engine out of plastic. It's called the Polimotor 2 and has a turbocharged four-cylinder setup.
The advantages of using plastic polymers have to do with reducing weight. In this case, the motor is expected to between 63 and 67 kg (138 lb and 148 lb), making it almost 40 kg (90 lbs) lighter than the equivalent four-cylinder engines of today.
Solvay will replace 10 of the major components on the plastic engine with parts made from seven of its high-performing thermoplastic materials. These will include oil pump, water pump, water inlet/outlet, throttle body, fuel rail, and cam sprockets. A patented material called Torlon polyamide-imide will also be used, an industrial secret with unique properties.
Once ready, the Polimotor 2 will be introduced into the body of the M-20 C Coupe concept car built by French race car engineer Norma Auto Concept. Even the turbocharger will be made from plastic, and it's expected that the total output will be around 450 horsepower at 8,000rpm.
The reason the engine is called Polimotor 2 and not Polimotor 1 is because somebody else built a plastic motor before. The fellow in question is US engineer Matti Holtzberg, and that's why Solvay are consulting with him on this project.
The original plastic engine was finished in 1982 and was based on a 2-liter Cosworth BDA powerplant rated at 290 horsepower. Holtzberg reportedly managed to make the block, air intake trumpets, intake valve stems, piston skirts and wrist pins, connecting rods and tappers from petrol-derived polymers.
This engine was fitted to a Lola T616 race car. Later on, a turbocharged V6 was also put together but only used during testing.
A company called Solvay Chemicals has partnered up with US-based engineer Matt Holtzberg to take things a step further by making an engine out of plastic. It's called the Polimotor 2 and has a turbocharged four-cylinder setup.
The advantages of using plastic polymers have to do with reducing weight. In this case, the motor is expected to between 63 and 67 kg (138 lb and 148 lb), making it almost 40 kg (90 lbs) lighter than the equivalent four-cylinder engines of today.
Solvay will replace 10 of the major components on the plastic engine with parts made from seven of its high-performing thermoplastic materials. These will include oil pump, water pump, water inlet/outlet, throttle body, fuel rail, and cam sprockets. A patented material called Torlon polyamide-imide will also be used, an industrial secret with unique properties.
Once ready, the Polimotor 2 will be introduced into the body of the M-20 C Coupe concept car built by French race car engineer Norma Auto Concept. Even the turbocharger will be made from plastic, and it's expected that the total output will be around 450 horsepower at 8,000rpm.
The reason the engine is called Polimotor 2 and not Polimotor 1 is because somebody else built a plastic motor before. The fellow in question is US engineer Matti Holtzberg, and that's why Solvay are consulting with him on this project.
The original plastic engine was finished in 1982 and was based on a 2-liter Cosworth BDA powerplant rated at 290 horsepower. Holtzberg reportedly managed to make the block, air intake trumpets, intake valve stems, piston skirts and wrist pins, connecting rods and tappers from petrol-derived polymers.
This engine was fitted to a Lola T616 race car. Later on, a turbocharged V6 was also put together but only used during testing.
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