materials for future use. Steel and other resources are slowly becoming depleted,

and we must find alternative materials that are abundant, less expensive and lower

in weight. The alternative material must still have the strength and integrity to

prevent failure or mishap, and must also be tested before being placed into

production. Due to the decreased amount of landfill space, the material must also

be recyclable. At the rate our economy is growing, the long-lived steel industry

will not be able to supply all of our needs forever. Since most American families

own at least two automobiles, this is the primary source for steel component

reduction. Approximately 55% of the U.S. population own at least one

One possible solution to this problem is to replace steel parts with plastic

parts where applicable. Manufacturing more parts out of plastic will allow the

steel industry to keep up with the rising usage necessary to supply our economy

elsewhere, and enable us to recycle the plastic when necessary. Plastics can easily

Engine valve covers on Ford trucks are now made of SMC because it

cost, and even increased the piece price because of volume breakdowns.

away like traditional steel body panels, and will not require the extra protective

possibility of doing away with paint, and using a molded-in color over the entire

Some common words found in the essay are:
Kenworth T-2000, Plastic Components, Plymouth Prowler, Chevrolet Silverado, Plymouth Pronto, Town Country, Plastics Solution, , Jeep Wrangler, Ford GM, plastic components, body panels, easily recycled, components plastic, plastic body, winter 98, steering column, tooling costs, body panel, plastic body panels, assembly plant, dupont involved development, plastic steering column, vibration harshness engine, plastics plastics engineering,
Approximate Word count = 2280
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)