An assessment of new materials that are light weight for use in automobiles to improve fuel efficiency

Abstract

Global energy demand is currently contributing to a severe problem of rising fuel prices for automobile users. One solution is to reduce the weight of the car body to improve fuel efficiency and reduce fuel costs. The choice of car body material can achieve this purpose. This paper will present the criteria such as stiffness, strength, and density to determine the suitability of substituting traditional materials, such as mild steel and carbon steel, with new materials High Strength Steel (HSS), aluminum alloys, and Long Fiber Thermoplastic (LFT). A literature review of the research is done to showcase the challenges traditional materials experience and how the development of these three new materials can overcome these challenges. Results from the case study show the feasibility of implementing these new materials in an automobile. More future research should be conducted to overcome the challenges and limitations posed by using these new materials, focusing on the low-cost replacement, manufacturing, and co-joining techniques of car body parts.