Automotive-ashtray

Homework questions are not my forte! What alternative materials do you think would be suitable for an ashtray? Something that won't melt, deform or set on fire would be a good start, so you can rule out things like cardboard and 'certain types' of plastic which leaves you..........?

Have a new idea for it is my suggestion. Get a old vacuum cleaner and a long metal tube attached to it, a momentary on/off switch will allow you you send the ashes to the ground or a bag, or a chamber to capture the butt will be a hidden ashtray. Aside from being hidden it can be as large as a ice cooler or a coffee can, just don't let the butt enter the vacuum repeller and become a in-flight obstacle. Serves to get rid of the smoking butt anyways. Once in a flame retardant bag, coffee can or metal box size of a cooler it self extinguishes.

I think you have a wonderful idea there. But why not use the vacuum from the engine? Just connect a small vacuum line to an old sardine can, with a piece of metal screen in the vacuum fitting. The suction should draw the smoke into the engine. As of now the surgeon general has not declared any health hazard to automotive engines from smoking.