What Are Honda Cars Made Of?
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Engine
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Ferrous metals such as steel and iron are the most common elements in Honda engines, but aluminum is also used. Honda's gas mileage ratings are improved by the amount of plastic used in the engine. Caps, hoses, the fuel tanks in many models and parts of the Honda radiator are constructed from plastics, including newly created plastics such as liquid crystal polymers and aliphatic polyketone that are able to handle extreme amounts of heat. Every Honda uses a battery to run the engine, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that nearly half the weight of a car battery is lead. Small amounts of nonferrous metals, such as brass, copper and zinc, are also present in wires and engine fittings.
Exterior
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Honda exteriors use a high amount of thermoplastic construction. The plastic weight for each car is approximately 231 pounds, according to the European Plastics Converters (EuPC) consortium. Fenders, doors, hood, roof and trunk panels are also constructed from plastics. Tempered glass (which shatters when broken) makes up a significant amount of the exterior. Sedans have less glass than four-door models, but all Hondas feature large front windshields and rear windows. The SUV models have a large expanse of glass on each side, creating an interesting design but also using large amounts of glass. Tires are constructed of metal belts and beads, fabric plies, and natural and synthetic rubber.
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Interior
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Aside from the wool-poly blend fabric inserts of some older, lower-priced entry-level models, Honda seating is made from polymers, which are used primarily in the foam inserts and fabric coverings. The main types of polymers used are polypropylene, polyurethane and PVC. The dashboard is constructed from ABS plastic, as are many platforms behind the rear seats in sedans. Carpeting and the interior roof lining make up a significant percentage of the Honda interior. Honda airbags and the side safety curtains include the chemicals sodium azide (NaN3), silicon dioxide (SiO2) and potassium nitrate (KNO3).
Frame
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Honda models are either frame or unibody design, in which the car parts are connected together in sections without the use of a frame. The Honda Insight is an exception to this design, since the body parts are placed on an aluminum frame that Honda designers claimed gave the model 13 percent greater flexibility over steel. The Honda Ridgeline truck is also a unibody design, which is an unusual method of construction for a truck.
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