Overview of Composite Materials and their Automotive Applications

Abstract

This chapter presents an overview of recent automotive applications of advanced composites. A summary of available composites that could be used in automotive industries is presented. This work mainly deals with new research and studies done in order to investigate the present and potential use of composites for automotive structural components (e.g. tubes, plates, driveshafts, springs, brake discs, etc.). The important conclusions of these experimental and numerical simulation studies are shown in detail. It is important to note that most studies have an interest in enhancing the mechanical properties of automotive parts as well as providing better ecological and economical solutions. The influence of reinforcement types and architecture on the mechanical behaviour of automotive parts is investigated. It is remarked that unidirectional composites and composite laminates are the most used composites, with a domination of glass fibres. However, carbon reinforced polymers and carbon ceramic composites along with nanocomposites could be considered as the most advanced composites currently in use for the automotive industry. Moreover, the emergence of natural fibre reinforced polymers, green composites, as a replacement of glass fibre reinforced polymers is discussed. Recently, the use of composite materials has increased rapidly in automotive domains. As reported, according to [1], it is remarked that the total global consumption of lightweight materials used in transportation equipment will increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.9% in tonnage terms and 5.7% in value terms between 2006 and 2011 (from Advanced Composite Materials for Automotive Applications: Structural Integrity and Crashworthiness, First Edition. Edited by Ahmed Elmarakbi.

The Influence of Ply Stacking Sequence on Mechanical Properties of Carbon/Epoxy Composite Laminates

“…In recent years, the use of advanced composite materials in many industries has been growing considerably higher due to their numerous advantages compared to other conventional materials [1][2][3]. Fibre-reinforced polymer composites (FRPs) are considered in an application where a high strength-to-weight ratio is desirable.…”

3-Phase hierarchical graphene-based epoxy nanocomposite laminates for automotive applications

“…The increasing demand for high-performance lightweight composite materials from different industries i.e. automotive [1][2], aerospace [3][4], marine [5] [6], construction [7] and health [8], have stimulated an expanding development of carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite materials. CFRP composites consist of carbon fibres (CF) reinforcing agent dispersed in a polymer matrix which is a thermoset or a thermoplastic polymer [9].…”

Manufacturing and Testing of PAN Nano Fibres, Banana Epoxy Nanocomposite

“…Main reasons for substituting to composite materials are their comparable performance and properties over conventional materials such as woods, metal, plastic and polymers as to the advantages that they offer such as specific strength and stiffness. Since the mid of 20th century research and engineering interest shifted from monolithic materials to composite materials [1][2][3]. The curiosity has gained substantially towards the usage of natural fibres in composites in recent few decades.…”