How Does Each 2013 Ford Escape Use 25 Recycled Plastic Bottles?
Published Tuesday, 25 October, 2011 by Mariah Smith. Categories: New Inventory, Green.
The design isn't the only thing that's all-new about the next Ford Escape; as part of Ford's ongoing green initiatives, the new Escape uses 25 recycled 20-ounce plastic bottles in the carpeting of each vehicle. It's the first time Ford has used this type of carpeting in an SUV.
All materials - green or not - have to pass extensive durability tests. The materials development team at Ford looks for "chalking" during these tests - the fibers degrade and mash themselves in to form a white residue as they break apart. Chalking, or dusting, is the precursor to a hole forming in the carpet.
The testing is done on a device called a Taber 5150, which looks similar to a record player. A carpet sample about the size of a DVD is placed in the middle and spins while two weights rub the sample to simulate accelerated wear.
Part of the recipe to improve the carpet involves adding more plastic bottles to the mix. The polyester fibers created from pop bottles make up a non-woven carpet material. Think of it like when you make spaghetti - everything is intermixed. If you have more fibers running on each other - rather than what's underneath, which can be more abrasive - that helps reduce wear. Also helping to mitigate wear is that the carpeting for the new Escape will be backed with cast foam. Cast foam helps reduce road noise and also fills in ridges and crevices for a smoother backing.
The all-new Ford Escape, complete with carpets made from recycled bottles, will make its global debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show on Nov. 16, 2011. To see all the new and pre-owned Ford vehicles currently available, and for more information on the 2013 Ford Escape, visit Tom Wood Ford in Indianapolis.
The testing is done on a device called a Taber 5150, which looks similar to a record player. A carpet sample about the size of a DVD is placed in the middle and spins while two weights rub the sample to simulate accelerated wear.
Part of the recipe to improve the carpet involves adding more plastic bottles to the mix. The polyester fibers created from pop bottles make up a non-woven carpet material. Think of it like when you make spaghetti - everything is intermixed. If you have more fibers running on each other - rather than what's underneath, which can be more abrasive - that helps reduce wear. Also helping to mitigate wear is that the carpeting for the new Escape will be backed with cast foam. Cast foam helps reduce road noise and also fills in ridges and crevices for a smoother backing.
The all-new Ford Escape, complete with carpets made from recycled bottles, will make its global debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show on Nov. 16, 2011. To see all the new and pre-owned Ford vehicles currently available, and for more information on the 2013 Ford Escape, visit Tom Wood Ford in Indianapolis.
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Erwin Calverley 11-03-2011, 7:40 PM
Erwin Calverley
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