Composites in Automotive Applications: Design

Abstract

The composites in automotive application is well grown, which offers a weight reduction of parts, low manufacturing and tooling cost, better integration of parts into other components of automotive applications. The effect of composite materials was not utilized successfully for automotive applications. Hence, an attempt was made to review the composite materials in automotive applications. The Composites Materials are classified into nonstructural, semistructural and structural materials for automotive applications, where the nonstructural and semistructural materials were mainly used for automotive applications. Structural thermoplastic composites were used in developing bumper systems, springs and drive shaft, etc. In recent years, the development of composites materials achieved a remarkable milestone with the reinforcement of various micro and nano filler such as MWCNT, E-glass fiber, carbon fiber, nano clay and titanium nanotubes, etc. In general, the mechanical properties of the composite were found to be enhanced significantly with the reinforcement of filler, which was suitable for automotive applications. The increase in impact properties with the composites enhanced the potential of crashworthy structures. Moreover, the study for the fabrication of polymer composites along with the recent manufacturing technique was also discussed in detail. It is concluded that the composites can be effectively used for the potential applications especially in automotive field.