Automobile Parts Research Articles

Non-original car spare parts and trade mark infringement: is there no room for referential use? The AG Opinion in C-334/22 Audi

Abstract In her Opinion in C-334/22 Audi, Advocate General (AG) Medina found that provisions of the EU trade mark law must be interpreted as meaning that an element placed on a non-original automotive spare part (radiator grille) for fitting the original mark of the car manufacturer would not constitute ‘use of a sign in the course of trade’. She ruled out, however, the possibility of relying on the referential use limitation in such circumstances. This gives rise to concerns that the AG’s Opinion construes the scope of the referential use limitation too narrowly. The author submits that the AUDI case, which is now to be decided by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), calls for attributing greater relevance to the catalogue of limitations and exceptions to exclusive trade mark rights, notably the referential use limitation. Moreover, a recalibration of the approach towards the 'honest practices' clause, which serves as a filter for all limitations and exceptions under EU trade mark law, is also needed in the context of non-original spare parts.

Utilization of textile fabric waste as reinforcement for composite materials in car body applications: A review

Materials are one of the basic elements or needs for continuing human beings’ life living and they are used for structural and nonstructural, biomedical, thermal, or other applications. In many types of materials, Composite materials are used in different sectors. The increasing need for eco-friendly, low-density, and lightweight product production prompted the development of fiber-reinforced polymer composites for usage in a variety of home items and automobile parts. The automobile manufacturing sectors have recently attempted to manufacture lighter and lighter parts. Shortly, automobiles must be lighter to meet demands for lower fuel usage and fewer CO2 emissions. On the other side that textile waste is still simply thrown into a landfill in the environment resulting in and causing pollution. So, the objective of this review was to show the ability of these waste materials used as reinforcing material for composite fabrication products like car hoods, Car bumpers, and lightweight automotive parts. also, it tries to explain the roles of lightweight materials for automotive body parts and also the reduction of wastes in the textile industry by recycling and converting them into useable products, making the environment free of pollution. This waste reduction is a current world issue.

Towards composite suspension control arm: Conceptual design, structural analysis, laminate optimization, manufacturing, and experimental testing

The automotive industry needs composite materials to decrease the weight of new-generation vehicles whilst increasing their strength. In this study, one of the critical (load bearing) components of automobiles, i.e., the suspension control arm made of steel, is fully redesigned for its suitable manufacturing using composite materials. To this end, innovative mechanical simulation methods are developed and coupled to perform the design, analysis, and optimization of the automotive suspension control arm. The main design/optimization criteria are set to reduce no less than 75% weight of the metal control arm and increase its safety by at least 60% by using composite materials and a new geometry suitable for mass production. To predict the deformation-stress state of the control arm, a four-node quadrilateral shell element is implemented based on the kinematics of refined zigzag theory (RZT). Once verified numerically, the computer implementation of the RZT is combined with the optimization algorithm to achieve the optimum laminate stacking sequence of the control arm. Accordingly, prototypes of the composite control arms with optimum lamination plans are manufactured and then experimentally tested under the loading and constraint conditions defined at the conceptual design stage. The numerical and full-scale experimental results are compared, and the RZT models are comprehensively validated. Hence, the advantages of the overarching design-analysis-optimization strategy presented herein are revealed for redesigning and manufacturing automobile parts from composite materials.

Comparative analysis of primers and alternative polypropylene pre-treatment techniques

ABSTRACT The test polypropylene substrates obtained from the original plastic car parts for Škoda Superb were subjected to 10 pre-treatment techniques: solvent cleaning (isopropanol, xylene), mechanical abrasion, immersion in a chromic acid mixture, flame activation, atmospheric and low-pressure plasma treatment, corona discharges and the application of two different primers (also called adhesion promoters). One of the primers, based on chlorinated polypropylene, was commercially available, while the other was prepared in our laboratory using polypropylene grafted with maleic anhydride. The test substrates were characterized using contact angle measurement for designation of surface free energy, Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) for roughness analysis, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) for surface topography, and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (EDX) for surface oxygen and contamination analysis. The suitability of the surface preparation methods in the industry was evaluated through peel strength tests (adhesive bonding process) and cross-cut tests (painting process). Not all tested methods were effective in increasing adhesion, especially in the adhesive bonding process, and even fewer in the painting process. However, some of them were suitable for both applications. The use of primers was found to be crucial.

Effects of Nb addition on the microstructure and low-cycle fatigue properties of heat-resistant stainless steel

This study aims to improve the quality and durability of materials used in turbocharger housing, particularly to limit the degradation of automobile engine parts. As a result, niobium (Nb)-bearing heat-resistant cast austenitic stainless-steel samples have been explored. Two distinct steel samples, denoted as Alloy-A (with 0 wt.% Nb) and Alloy-B (with 1.5 wt.% Nb), were fabricated by centrifugal casting for investigating the effects of Nb content on the corresponding microstructure and low-cycle fatigue properties of these samples. The phases formed within these alloys were predicted by thermodynamic calculations using the Thermo-Calc software, with the results aligning well with the experimental results. The addition of Nb promoted the formation of niobium carbide, resulting in increased hardness and greater area fraction of the carbides present in the steel samples. Alloy-B displayed enhanced high-temperature strength over Alloy-A, while the low-cycle fatigue resistances of the two alloys were similar. Fatigue cracks predominantly initiated at the outer surface of the specimens, mainly in the carbide regions, due to the mismatch between the matrix and carbide hardness. This paper is the first to report the effect of Nb addition on the microstructure and low-cycle fatigue properties of heat-resistant cast austenitic stainless steel.

Investigations on compression behavior of fused filament fabricated hybrid biomimetic structures

The objective of this study is to design a biomimetic hybrid structure inspired by nacre, and conch shells and compare how the compressive characteristics change when key geometric design parameters are varied. Nacre, also known as mother of pearl, has a host of traits, suitable for survival, like its stiffness and strength. Conch, which is a common name for a number of sea snails, possesses a unique cross-lamellar structure which has a tough outer layer to resist penetration from the sharp-toothed attacks of predators, and a nacreous inner layer which can dissipate energy. A novel nacre–conch–nacre inspired sandwich core structure is designed and fabricated with fuse filament fabrication using acrylonitrile styrene acrylate filament according to the ASTM C365 standard for the flatwise compression test of sandwich core structures. Three key design parameters, namely the wall thickness, the thickness between two nacre walls, and the angle of conch were selected and varied to form nine different iterations of this design. An Abaqus finite element analysis was validated by experimental testing using an Instron 8801 servo-hydraulic universal testing machine. The results showed that conch-inspired structures’ compression properties depend on wall thickness and angle. The sample with 2 mm wall thickness and 45° conch angle had the highest compressive strength of 3.62 MPa, while the sample with 1 mm wall thickness and 50° conch angle had the lowest at 2.09 MPa. These findings suggest this structure could be used in lightweight armor, car, and aerospace parts.

Effect of Strain Rate on Deformation Behaviors of Ti-12.1Mo -1Fe Metastable Beta Alloy

The addition of expensive elements to β titanium alloys, which are widely used in the aerospace and automobile industries, causes their price to increase. Low-cost, high-strength alloy (Ti-12.1Mo-1.0Fe) was designed in this study and the compressive behaviors of this alloy were evaluated for application to automobile parts, etc. As a result of ambient compression in the quasi-static and dynamic strain rate range (1×10<sup>-4</sup>/s~6×10<sup>3</sup>/s), twinning occurred at all strain rates, and in particular, adiabatic shear bands were observed, which cause cracks and fractures under dynamic strain rate conditions. In addition, when the relationship between these bands and mechanical characteristics was evaluated, an increase of compression strength and Vickers hardness was confirmed to occur, due to the strain rate hardening effect under compression loading. Some twins were formed by the deformation behavior during compression plastic deformation of the Ti-12.1Mo-1.0Fe alloy, and it exhibited excellent compression strength characteristics, showing a very high strain rate hardening effect at a high strain rate.

Innovative technologies for strengthening of internal surfaces of suspension parts of heavy-loaded machines by laser and high-frequency induction methods

In the article innovative methods of surface hardening of internal surfaces of machine parts by laser and highfrequency induction heating are presented. The relevance of applying the methods of laser and induction hardening for the internal surfaces of heavily loaded parts of quarry equipment is proved. The results of modeling and calculation of thermal and electromagnetic fields under the influence of an external electromagnetic field and laser radiation beams are presented. The original design of a complex of equipment for processing the internal surfaces of suspension parts by external electromagnetic field is described. The optimal designs of inductors with magnetic circuits made of various materials are shown. The study of the structure and properties obtained on the internal surfaces of heavily loaded suspension parts of cars, line of the BelAZ company, treated according to the optimal modes of surface induction exposure is given. The developed original technology and equipment of laser surface hardening, which makes it possible to increase the wear resistance of heavily loaded parts, is described. Data on the implementation of research results at JSC “BELAZ” – the Management Company of the Holding “BELAZ-HOLDING” for processing a wide range of heavily loaded suspension parts are given.

Minimizing Defects in Radiator Grille Upper Garnish Parts using Six Sigma (DMAIC) at PT. AAS

To achieve quality improvement, companies must align their production processes with customer needs, control production costs effectively, and maintain product quality. This approach enhances customer satisfaction, increases market share, and boosts profitability. PT. AAS, an automotive company specializing in injection molding and painting, relies on resin as its primary raw material to produce car parts for major clients like Hyundai, Suzuki, and Astra. To dominate the market, PT. AAS must prioritize delivering quality products on time to earn customer trust and secure continuous orders. Initially, the QC data for the injection molding area showed a high defect rate of approximately 17.5% for the Garnish Radiator Grille Upper part, from December 2022 to May 2023. Prior to implementing the Six Sigma method, PT. AAS had a DPMO (Defects Per Million Opportunities) value of 58,177, equivalent to a 3.10 Sigma level. After applying the Six Sigma DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) process, the DPMO decreased to 17,991, resulting in a 3.60 Sigma level. This suggests that PT. AAS currently operates at a 4 Sigma level, with a strong potential to reach 5 or even 6 Sigma by addressing the root causes of rejection. The fishbone analysis highlights the need for action across all departments, including Management. Key areas to focus on include Material, ensuring the correct resin delivery to the Injection Molding station; Machine, verifying proper machine settings and utilizing the 5S methodology; Environment, optimizing room temperature and ventilation; and Man, providing training to enhance operators' knowledge and sense of responsibility.

Strengthening phase and mechanical property analysis of artificially aged Al7075 – Ni coated Al2024 composites

This technical paper demonstrates the possibilities of nickel (Ni) coated Al2024 powder reinforcement in an Al7075 matrix using the liquid stir casting technique. Additionally, the paper focuses on achieving stable properties by implementing artificial aging heat treatment. To apply the Ni coating, the electroless nickel plating technique was utilized, and a minimum coating thickness of 8 μm was determined to effectively prevent the dissolution of Al2024 powder reinforcements within the Al7075 matrix. Stir casting facilitated the uniform dispersion of the coated Al2024 powder up to a weight percentage of 7%. Subsequently, the Al7075 alloy and composites underwent artificial aging through solution heat treatment (SHT) at 450 °C for 4 h, followed by water quenching and aging at temperatures of 120, 150, and 180 °C. Aging at 120 °C was found to yield superior results compared to aging at 150 and 180 °C, thus identified as the optimum aging temperature. When the Ni coating thickness was increased beyond the optimal 8 μm, the resulting enhancements in hardness for both as-cast and peak-aged specimens, as well as the tensile strength, were not significant. The improvements observed were only marginal, ranging between 2 to 3%. Fracture surface analysis revealed that the predominant fracture mode in the Al7075 alloy was ductile, characterized by dimple rupture. In the as-cast Al7075-(7%, 8 μm) Al2024 composite, a mixed fracture mode comprising both brittle and ductile characteristics was observed. In the peak-aged (120 °C) Al7075-(7%, 8 μm)Al2024 composite, the overall fracture mode exhibited a dominant brittle nature. Analytical techniques including XRD, TEM, and EDS confirmed the presence of Mg2Si, MgZn2, CuAl2, and CuAl2Mg phases in the peak-aged (120 °C) Al7075-(7%, 8 μm) Al2024 composite. These phases contributed to the enhancement of the properties of both the Al7075 alloy and its composites. The developed composites can be used in automobile parts and aerospace applications.

Experimental analysis and machining characterization of aluminium 356 matrix composites reinforced with fly ash and alumina oxide Al2O3

A higher specific strength, specific modulus, damping capacity, and robust wear resistance are among the many superior properties of metal matrix composites (MMCs) over unreinforced alloys. A growing body of research is focused on low-density composites with low-cost reinforcements. Regarded as one of the least costly and least dense reinforcements available in substantial quantities, fly ash is a solid waste by product that is created when coal is burned in thermal power plants. Using Al356, Fly Ash, and Alumina Al2O3, the proposed metal matrix composite is created. Consequently, it is expected that fly ash reinforced composites will break through the financial barrier and become widely used in automobile and small engine parts. The primary objective of this research is to explore the potential of fly ash-reinforced composites to overcome economic barriers and find extensive applications in automotive and small engine components. By incorporating fly ash particles into aluminum alloy, we aim to not only enhance the properties of the material but also promote a sustainable use for this abundant waste by product. To achieve our goals, we employ a comprehensive fabrication process involving the incorporation of fly ash into the aluminum matrix using stir-casting techniques. This method allows for effective mixing and the formation of composite materials with the desired properties.. Particle reinforced aluminium matrix composites are becoming more and more popular for the creation of secondary components because of their low cost, isotropic properties, and chance for secondary processing. With fly ash, an easily accessible industrial waste, mixed with aluminum and stir-cast to form composite materials, the current effort aims to identify a workable use for this material.

Insights into the dynamic impact behavior of intercritically annealed automotive-grade Fe–7Mn–4Al −0.18C steel

Recently, medium manganese steels (MMnS) have been developed due to their excellent strength and improved ductility to meet automotive manufacturer demands. However, research on the impact toughness of automobile parts developed from these steels needs considerable attention to meet safety standards. Therefore, the present investigation focuses on the effect of annealing time (30, 60 and 180 min) on the impact behavior of intercritically annealed (750 °C) Fe–7Mn–4Al-0.18C (wt. %) steel. The microstructure of intercritically annealed steel, as revealed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), consists of blocky and lath-type reverted austenite (RA), fine intercritical ferrite (IF), lath-type martensite (M) and coarse elongated ferrite (EF). The impact toughness of the samples is evaluated at room temperature using a Zwick/Roell HIT450P Charpy impact machine. The sample annealed for 60 min absorbs the highest amount of impact energy among the three annealed samples. This is due to an increased volume fraction of RA, the transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) effect, and an increase in the fraction of high angle grain boundaries (HAGBs). The microtexture analysis reveals that the presence of γ-fiber {111}//ND texture in ferrite and Rotated Goss texture {011} <011> in austenite contributes to the improved impact toughness in the specimen annealed for 60 min. The SEM fractographs of the sample annealed for 60 min exhibit crack branching and larger dimple size with inhomogeneous dimple distribution indicating higher energy absorption during crack initiation. Martensitic transformation nucleation sites are activated by a high volume fraction of RA in the sample annealed for 60 min, leading to increased impact toughness and the development of secondary cracks. In addition, the impact energy decreases when the sample annealed for 60 min is subjected to an impact test at temperatures lower than room temperature.

Prospects Of Terahertz Technology – A Comprehensive Review

Prospects Of Terahertz Technology – A Comprehensive Review

Research progress and application of spherical solar cell in solar car

Along with the economic development of China, all industries have faced new opportunities. However, the fast development of the automobile industry has also negatively impacted environmental resources, such as petroleum resource consumption and environmental pollution. In order to protect the environment and travel green, this paper analyzes the progress of solar energy applied to cars as clean energy. First of all, this paper explains the working principle of solar cars and how to convert the collected solar energy into electric energy to store or provide kinetic energy for the car. Further, since the loss of air resistance of the car accounts for up to 60%, this paper analyzes the modeling and design principles of the solar car through aerodynamics. In addition, this paper focuses on the solar panel-related content, which is the core part of the solar car, puts forward and introduces the spherical solar cell not popular in China, and finally puts forward relevant suggestions for the pilot of the solar car. Reducing the kinetic energy loss caused by air resistance and improving the efficiency of solar energy conversion should be the focus of the future development of solar vehicles.

Exergy Assessment of Plastic Car Parts

Light-duty vehicles are increasingly incorporating plastic materials to reduce production costs and achieve lightweight designs. On average, a conventional car utilizes over 200 kg of plastic, comprising more than 23 different types, which often present challenges for recycling due to their incompatibility. Consequently, the focus on plastic recycling in end-of-life vehicles has intensified. This study aims to analyze critical car parts based on the plastics used, employing a novel thermodynamic approach that examines the embodied exergy (EE) of different plastics. Six vehicles from various segments, years, and equipment levels were assessed to understand their plastic compositions. The findings reveal that, on average, a vehicle contains 222 kg of plastic, accounting for 17.7% of its total weight. Among these plastics, 47.5% (105 kg) are utilized in car parts weighing over 1 kg, with plastics comprising over 80% of the part’s weight. The identified critical car parts include the front door trim panel, front and rear covers, fuel tank, floor covering, front lighting, dashboard, rear door trim panel, plastic front end, backrest pad, door trim panel pocket, plastic foam rear seat, rear lighting, window guide, molded headliner, bulkhead sound insulation, foam seat part, and wheel trim. Regarding their contribution to EE, the plastics with the highest shares are polypropylene—PP (24.5%), polypropylene and ethylene blends—E/P (20.3%), and polyurethane- PU (15.3%). Understanding the criticality of these car parts and their associated plastics enables targeted efforts in design, material selection, and end-of-life management to enhance recycling and promote circularity within the automotive industry.

Clean-Up Workers (Deluxe Series): The Embodiment of Waste Values and Aesthetics

Written from the perspective of practice-led research, this reflective case study rationalises and charts the production of ‘Clean-Up Workers (Deluxe Series)’—mixed media sculptures that embody notions of waste aesthetic, value and abjection. Integrating discourses surrounding waste theory and using the sink and plug as a metaphor to discuss Lacan’s theory of the objet petit a, the paper is presented as an autobiographical waste narrative. Production of a series of anatomical vacuum cleaners made from re-appropriated artwork found waste materials in the form of ‘pre-owned objects or materials’ and ‘by-products’ of a creative practice’, sit alongside crafted luxurious glass objects and speak of corporeal ageing, dysfunction and the domestic realm. Discarded objects take the form of car parts found in the non-places of the gutter. Through assemblage, these unique items’ ‘use-time’ is recontextualised and elevated as art objects viewed within a gallery arena.

Studies of adhesive and wear-resistant properties of chrome coatings for car parts and road construction equipment restoration

Introduction. The use of chrome plating as a method of restoring parts that work with waterjet wear is important for restoring the operability of hydraulic drive units and parts used in specialized vehicles and road construction equipment. The proposed method of chrome recovery has the necessary advantages, it is a sufficiently high performance and microhardness of the resulting chrome coatings. However, for implementation in production, additional studies of the reliability of the chrome coatings obtained, namely, adhesion strength and wear resistance, were required. This will make possible to draw conclusions about the prospects for further implementation and use for the restoration of hydraulic drive parts and other parts that work with waterjet wear.Materials and methods. To conduct the research, equipment meeting the requirements of technical conditions, using existing and developed devices and devices for obtaining chrome precipitation was used. For this purpose, the necessary devices and samples from the appropriate material to approximate the reliability of the obtained research results were made. Also the necessary improvements to digitize the data obtained on the friction machine were made.Results. The performed studies of adhesion strength have shown that the chrome coatings obtained from the new electrolyte composition will make possible to obtain adhesion strength reaching 270 MPa, which is sufficient for parts operating at high pressures (20 MPa) with the necessary margin of safety. Also the studies conducted on the wear resistance of chrome coatings let to conclude that the wear resistance of the chrome coatings obtained is 20-30% higher compared to the reference surface (the material of the spool manufacture).Discussion and conclusion. The studies of the obtained chrome coatings from the new electrolyte composition made possible to establish, which let to establish the regularities of the influence of the electrolyte composition and the modes of testing the wear resistance of the precipitation obtained compared with the existing universal chromium plating electrolyte. The results obtained confirmed the possibility of using a chrome coating from a new chromium plating electrolyte for the restoration of car parts and road construction machines operating under waterjet wear.

Experimental study of the possibility of using silicate paste to increase the durability of automobile engine parts

Experimental study of the possibility of using silicate paste to increase the durability of automobile engine parts

Use of the best-worst method to evaluate determinants affecting cost reduction of heat exchanger components in the Chinese automotive industry

As China is a major automobile manufacturing and consumption country, cost reduction is an important indicator for the operation of the automobile industry. There are many automobile-related components and parts, and each component is important to the full functionality of the automobile. This article focuses on automobiles’ heat exchanger components (HECs) because they have important connections with the engine, transmission, body, and hydraulic systems of automobiles. Since the HECs are important functional parts of automobiles, it is worthwhile to investigate the determinants affecting the cost reduction of HECs in the automobile industry. Hence, the main purpose of this article is to evaluate the determinants affecting the cost reduction of HECs in the Chinese automotive industry using the best-worst method (BWM). Firstly, based on the literature and the opinions of industry and expert interviews, five evaluation dimensions and 20 evaluation factors were developed. Secondly, an empirical survey was conducted using the BWM and expert questionnaires. Finally, the study’s results revealed that: (1) “Research and development” is the most critical evaluation dimension that affects the cost reduction of HECs in the Chinese automotive industry; (2) The determinants affecting the cost reduction of HECs in the Chinese automotive industry were “value analysis/value engineering,”“production system optimization,”“developing industry standards,”“lightweighting,”“synchronous new product development,” and “waste reduction.” The empirical findings showed that the first three determinants were particularly important in the decision-making factors of cost reduction. In addition, this article discusses and suggests these determinants as a reference for future cost reduction evaluation of HECs in the Chinese automotive industry.

Fabrication, microstructure and mechanical properties of novel titanium and nickel micro-particulates reinforced AZ91D magnesium alloy metal matrix hybrid composites

In the present study, AZ91D magnesium alloy has been successfully produced for the first time by reinforcing with a combination of Ti and Ni microparticles. The manufacture of hybrid composites reinforced with elemental powders at the volumetric proportions of 0–25 % was conducted using the powder metallurgy technique. As a result of optimized fabrication parameters, in all the specimens were nearly obtained full density and a pore-free microstructure. During the morphological examinations were detected α-Mg, β-Mg17Al12, Ti and Ni phases, apart from these, no unwanted secondary phases such as oxide, carbide and nitride were founded. A clean interface formation was observed between the matrix and reinforcement phases in which no chemical reaction occurs. The combined use as reinforcement material of Ti and Ni elements for the first time resulted in approximate ratios of 29 %, 80 % and 30 % significant enhancement in the yield strength, compressive strength and ductility values of the matrix alloy, respectively. Hybrid specimens were determined to have better mechanical properties than those of the unreinforcement matrix alloy at all test temperatures. Produced hybrid composites have been established to be enough to easily meet the temperatures and stresses that automobile components are exposed to under service conditions. In addition, their low-density values of 2.048–3.011 g/cm3 show to compose a significant alternative to conventional materials like iron, steel and even aluminum which are often used in the generation of automobile parts.