Plastic suspension springs could make it onto cars soon

Plastic suspension springs are 75% lighter than the conventional steel ones.

Rheinmetall - a German automotive supplier, is said to have developed, tested and prototyped a new type of suspension springs for cars. According to media reports, the company has come up with suspension springs made using fibreglass-reinforced plastic.

The FRP springs from Rheinmetall are said to have undergone intensive testing, to a point that a "premium" carmaker has already placed orders for them. While the company hasn't publically revealed the name of the carmaker, there is a possibility it could be Mercedes-Benz. Reports suggest that the Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX concept did come fitted with Rheinmetall's FRP springs.

The German auto supplier states that its plastic suspension springs are 75% lighter than the conventional steel ones. The FRP springs also have many advantages over the standard steel spring, including greater variety in design and high inherent damping properties, which should help reduce noise & vibrations. However, the company states that the main selling point of the FRP springs is that they won't rust and can fit into the same space as an existing steel spring.

Source: TheDrive