Why is extruded fiberglass board replacing PHC paper honeycomb board as the new favorite for spare tire covers?
Publish Time: 2026-02-19
In the automotive manufacturing industry, the spare tire cover, as a crucial component of the vehicle body structure, directly impacts the vehicle's safety, comfort, and environmental performance through its material selection. For a long time, PHC paper honeycomb board has been the mainstream material for spare tire covers. However, with technological advancements and evolving user demands, extruded fiberglass board is rapidly replacing it, becoming the industry's new favorite.1. Limitations of PHC Paper Honeycomb Boards: Odor and Burning IssuesPHC paper honeycomb board, with its lightweight and low-cost characteristics, was once widely used in spare tire cover manufacturing. However, in actual use, its shortcomings have gradually become apparent. Firstly, there's the odor problem. The adhesives used in the production process of paper honeycomb board release volatile organic compounds, often resulting in a pungent odor inside new cars, affecting the driving experience and potentially harming health. Secondly, its high-temperature resistance is insufficient. The spare tire cover is located at the bottom of the vehicle, close to the exhaust system, and is subjected to high temperatures for extended periods. PHC paper honeycomb panels are prone to scorching and carbonization under extreme conditions, affecting structural integrity and posing safety hazards. These issues have prompted automakers to seek superior alternative materials.2. Extruded Fiberglass Board: A Comprehensive Upgrade in Material PerformanceExtruded fiberglass board utilizes a continuous glass fiber and resin composite process, formed through high-temperature and high-pressure extrusion. This manufacturing process endows the material with excellent comprehensive performance. In terms of strength, the addition of glass fiber gives the board excellent tensile and bending resistance, capable of withstanding vibrations and impacts during vehicle operation. Compared to PHC paper honeycomb panels, extruded fiberglass board exhibits significantly improved structural strength, effectively protecting the spare tire from external impact damage. Regarding heat resistance, glass fiber itself has an extremely high melting point, and the resin matrix undergoes high-temperature modification treatment, enabling the board to operate stably for extended periods in environments above 200°C, completely eliminating the scorching problem. Even near the exhaust system, it maintains structural integrity, without deformation or carbonization.3. Environmentally Friendly and Healthy: A Fundamental Solution to Odor ProblemsThe breakthrough in environmental performance of extruded fiberglass board is one of the key factors in its replacement of PHC paper honeycomb panels. The material uses a low-volatile resin system, and the production process does not use harmful solvents such as formaldehyde and benzene, eliminating the source of odor. The finished boards are cured at high temperatures, leaving very few residual volatiles, resulting in almost no odor release after installation in vehicles. This is an important consideration for modern consumers who pursue a high-quality driving experience. At the same time, the material is recyclable, meeting the increasingly stringent environmental regulations of the automotive industry.4. One-Piece Molding Process: A Perfect Combination with EPO FoamAnother major advantage of extruded fiberglass board is its ability to be molded in one piece with EPO foam. EPO foam has excellent cushioning and energy absorption properties, and when combined with fiberglass board, it forms a "rigid yet flexible" composite structure. The one-piece molding process ensures a tight bond between the two materials, without delamination or gaps, resulting in a more stable overall structure. This design not only improves the impact resistance of the spare tire cover but also enhances sound insulation and noise reduction. During vehicle operation, road vibrations and noise are effectively suppressed, improving driving comfort. Furthermore, the one-piece molding reduces assembly steps, lowers production costs, and improves production efficiency. For automakers, this translates to higher cost-effectiveness and shorter delivery cycles.5. Flame Retardant Performance: A Comprehensive Improvement in Safety StandardsThe safety of automotive materials is always a primary consideration. Extruded fiberglass board possesses excellent flame retardant properties, meeting the automotive industry's stringent fire safety standards. Fiberglass itself is non-combustible; with flame retardants added to the resin matrix, it self-extinguishes upon contact with fire, producing no molten droplets or releasing toxic gases. In extreme cases of vehicle fires, the spare tire cover will not become a conduit for the spread of fire, buying valuable time for evacuation. In contrast, PHC paper honeycomb panels have weaker flame retardant properties, requiring additional flame-retardant coatings with limited effectiveness. The inherent flame-retardant properties of extruded fiberglass board represent a qualitative leap in safety performance.The replacement of PHC paper honeycomb panels with extruded fiberglass board as the new favorite for spare tire covers is a result of advancements in automotive material technology and evolving user needs. Its comprehensive advantages in strength, heat resistance, environmental friendliness, and flame retardancy address the pain points of traditional materials, providing the automotive industry with a more reliable, safer, and more environmentally friendly solution. With the rapid development of new energy vehicles and intelligent vehicles, extruded fiberglass board will undoubtedly demonstrate its unique value in more automotive component sectors, becoming an ideal material choice that balances lightweighting and safety in automobiles.
