A spoiler is an automotive aerodynamic device whose intended design function is to 'spoil' unfavorable air movement across a body of a vehicle in motion. Spoilers on the front of a vehicle are often called air dams, because in addition to directing air flow they also reduce the amount of air flowing underneath the vehicle which reduces aerodynamic lift. Spoilers are often fitted to race and high-performance sports cars, although they have become common on passenger vehicles as well. Some spoilers are added to cars primarily for styling purposes and have either little aerodynamic benefit or even make the aerodynamics worse.
Spoilers for cars are often incorrectly confused with, or the term used interchangeably with, wings. Automotive wings are devices whose intended design is to generate downforce as air passes around them, not simply disrupt existing airflow patterns.
Material types
Spoilers are usually made of:
- ABS plastic – Most original equipment manufacturers create spoilers produced by casting ABS plastic with various admixtures, which bring in plasticity to this inexpensive but fragile material. Frailness is a main disadvantage of plastic, which increases with product age and is caused by the evaporation of volatile phenols.
- Fiberglass – Used in car parts production due to the low cost of the manufacturing process. Fiberglass spoilers consist of fiberglass filler fastened with synthetic tar. Fiberglass is sufficiently durable and workable, but has become unprofitable for large scale production.
- Silicon – More recently, many auto accessory manufacturers are using silicon-organic polymers. The main benefit of this material is its phenomenal plasticity. Silicon possesses extra high thermal characteristics and provides a longer product lifetime.
- Carbon – fiberglass based on carbon fiber is the youngest material on the automotive aftermarket. Carbon is light weight, durable, but also a very expensive material. Unlike ordinary fiberglass, solidification of the connecting tar takes place in a pressure chamber using high temperatures. Due to the very large amount of waste during the manufacturing process, large scale producers cannot widely use carbon fiber in automobile parts production currently.
