Advanced Polymeric Composite Product for Automotive Application

Abstract

This long-term study explores the development and application of a polymeric composite product with end goal to represent a light-weight and eco-friendly alternative to an existing car part, with current paper focusing on product development. Selecting the right constituents for an advanced polymeric composite product, having its end functional role in mind, is the foundation for a good development process. As modelling and simulation are key for predicting, defining and controlling the manufacturing process, the paper includes mathematical modelling and numerical simulations of how the structure performs during the technological process; thus, refining the concept and optimizing the process before producing industrial applications. A few samples of the polymeric composite product are manufactured where glass fibers are used as reinforcement material, due to their reduced specific weight, affordable price and widespread availability. Concrete results consequently include designing, building and testing multiple variations of the polymeric composite product manufactured in semi-cylindrically shaped samples using a research demonstration mold. Considering obtained results, large-scale industrial application is envisaged for automotive polymeric composite parts that would be brought to market at competitive prices.