Transportation

Plastic materials are used for a wide variety of transportation applications including glazing, interior wall panels, partitions, headliners, and light diffusers. Thermoplastics offer a number of advantages over metals, wood, and fiberglass including outstanding aesthetics, durability, and sound insulating properties. Plastics are also extremely lightweight, which contributes to improved fuel economy.

Thermoplastics have the additional advantage of having color throughout the volume of the material, which eliminates the need for secondary painting. Unlike metals and wood, plastics are moisture resistant and they will not rot or rust.

Common Transportation Applications

Transparent Partitions

Transparent partitions made from acrylic and polycarbonate sheet are lightweight and impact resistant. Standard colors include clear, bronze, and gray.
These plastics are available in a number of different formulations depending on the requirements for transparency, color, scratch resistance, and flammability.

Private and public transit companies are improving passenger and driver safety by retrofitting their buses with protective barrier shields made from durable plastic materials.

Transparent barriers made of TUFFAK® DG (Driver Gard) polycarbonate provide outstanding impact resistance and optical clarity. TUFFAK® DG is easy to clean, allows drivers to interact freely with passengers, and conforms to FMVSS 205/ANSI Z26.1, AS4.

LED Light Diffusers

Many vehicle manufacturers now specify LED lighting for interior illumination due the reliability and energy efficiency of LED lamps. LEDs can be challenging for vehicle designers since they create intense pinpoints of light that can detract from the appearance of a vehicle. Curbell supplies a number of plastic film and sheet materials that are engineered to diffuse LED light while still maintaining high levels of light transmission.

KYDEX® Thermoplastics for Interior Components – Wall Panels, Opaque Barriers, Seating, Tray Tables, and Window Shrouds

Vehicle designers often specify KYDEX® Thermoplastic sheet for interior applications including wall panels, tray tables, and window shrouds. KYDEX® sheet has outstanding aesthetics and durability as well as excellent flammability characteristics. KYDEX® Thermoplastics are available in virtually any color with low minimum order quantities and short lead times. There are a number of KYDEX® sheet grades available with enhanced antimicrobial properties for more demanding applications. Graffiti resistant grades of KYDEX® are also available.

Want to learn more? Read our article KYDEX® Thermoplastic Sheet for the Transportation Industry.

Hard-Coated TUFFAK® Polycarbonate Sheet for Vehicle Glazing

Hard-coated TUFFAK® BG and TUFFAK® TG polycarbonates are the materials of choice for bus and railcar windows. These products have unmatched durability, transparency, and scratch resistance. They are available in a number of different colors including clear, bronze, and gray. Curbell Plastics is registered with the U.S. Department of Transportation as a fabricator of vehicle glazing. We can supply TUFFAK® polycarbonate windows cut and routered to your specifications.

Emergency Vehicle Applications

Interior Wall Panels and Cabinetry

Materials like KYDEX®, expanded PVC, and aluminum composite material (ACM) are commonly used for ambulance and fire truck interiors. These plastics are easy to clean, resist wear and chipping, and offer a lighter alternative to wood or laminate, helping reduce overall vehicle weight.

Storage Cabinets

Ambulances and non-transporting EMS vehicles often have storage cabinets made from high performance plastics. KYDEX® Thermoplastic sheet is durable and it resists cleaning chemicals. It is often used for the white surfaces of emergency vehicle cabinets. Acrylic and polycarbonate sheet materials are typically specified for cabinet doors due to their transparency, durability, and light weight.

Ceiling Panels and Lighting Lenses

Acrylic and polycarbonate are often used for ceiling-mounted lighting covers and interior partitions. These materials offer clarity, impact resistance, and ease of fabrication, making them ideal for patient compartments and cab areas that require both durability and visibility.

Seat Bases

Expanded PVC is a popular choice for seat bottom structures, replacing traditional wood to reduce water absorption, eliminate rot, and improve durability over time. SEABOARD® StreamLite® is often used in this application. It’s an economical and lightweight solution that helps maintain structural integrity.

Exterior Body Panels and Trim

UV-stabilized ABS and other weatherable thermoplastics are frequently formed into exterior parts such as mirror covers, light bezels, and grills. These materials combine visual appeal with long-term weather resistance and are significantly lighter than metal alternatives.

Wheel Well Liners and Mud Flaps

HDPE is commonly used to fabricate wheel well liners and rear mud flaps. It offers a practical solution that reduces vehicle weight, lowers fabrication costs, and helps improve safety by eliminating issues associated with rubber flaps that may fold into tires.

Ladder Storage and Rub Rails

UHMW and pultruded fiberglass are often used in ladder storage systems and along vehicle exteriors to protect mounted lights and structural features. These materials absorb impact and reduce damage in the event of bumps or scrapes.

Adhesive Bonding

Structural adhesives and tapes are replacing welds and rivets in many emergency vehicle builds. These bonding solutions help reduce weight, speed up assembly, and improve aesthetics by eliminating exposed fasteners.