Materials in the Automotive Industry

Composite materials may have big advantages over steel in automobile manufacturing. Composites are considered to make lighter, safer and more fuel efficient vehicles. A composite is composed of high–performance fiber (such as carbon or glass) in a matrix material (epoxy polymer) that, when combined, provides enhanced properties compared with the individual.

Carbon fiber composites are equally good or better concerning stiffness and strength. They also do not rust or corrode like steel or aluminum, and they could significantly increase vehicle fuel economy by reducing vehicle weight. The issue with today’s composites is that they have been developed for aerospace applications where the cost is not so critical. 

With composite materials, we get high strength-to-weight and stiffness-to-weight ratios, as well as excellent energy-absorbing capability per mass.Strength and stiffness factors are why composites are currently used in aerospace applications, which also require a material that is extremely light. And compared to single-layered steel in cars, multiple-layer composite laminates can be designed to absorb more energy in a crash. However, the use of these materials in the automotive industry has been very limited partly because of the costs associated with the materials and manufacturing. In modern word composites are used in all fields like utomotive, aerospace, construction industry, entertainment industry etc. 

Characteristics of composites

• ü They are rigid with high strength to weight ratio
• ü Good electrical resistance
• ü Resistance to chemical and weather is high
• ü They have good stiffness (to limit buckling)
• ü Good corrosion resistance.

Why composites in automotive?

• × To improve fuel efficiency by reducing mass of the vehicle
• × To improve safety 
• × To enhance styling and part consolidation
• × To provide aerodynamic design

The applications of CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced polymer/plastics) includes the trunk lid, wheel rims, the floor, the roof, pillars, the hood, front and rear bumpers, the instrument panel, inner door modules & etc. Additionally, the dashboard gauges, switches, air conditioner vents, door handles, floor mats, seat belts, airbags and many other parts are all made from different types of plastics.

In addition to the dashboard parts, many of the tiny parts inside the engine, such as the handle on the oil dipstick, are also made of plastic. Because of their lightweight nature, plastics are being increasingly used in body structures and in engines during automotive manufacturing.

One of the important materials in plastics is rubber which is used to manufacturing of tires. The rubber tire protects the rest of the wheel and its internal parts from wearing down, which can be good for fuel mileage and road safety. In addition to the all-important tires, parts such as wiper blades, engine mounts, seals, hoses and belts are also made from rubber. Rubber is a plastic which is durable, cheap and flexible material that has a wide array of uses in automobiles.

From:http://article.sapub.org/10.5923.j.ijme.20180803.02.html