The development of new materials that are technically and economically viable is no small endeavor. The risks, costs, and time involved in research are usually so high that only governments or private consortia can bear them. And so it has been with the trajectory of carbon fiber reinforced composites, which are capable of providing the lightweighting needed for fuel efficiency, and the mechanical strength required for safety. After a long development cycle, this material is now being widely used by the military, in commercial aircraft, and in the automotive industry. Automotive Carbon Fiber Composites: From Evolution to Implementation, written by Dr. Jackie Rehkopf, senior researcher at Plasan Carbon Composites, gives a high-level summary on carbon reinforced fiber composites specific to the automotive industry in today’s market and its vision for the next 5 to 10 years. It begins with a comprehensive and easy-to-read overview of how composites started to be investigated as a possible alternative to metals, mostly driven by military demands, going on to cover: Fiber and resin types for automotive applications Composite constructions Manufacturing processes Machining and joining Reclaiming and recycling of these materials, among other topics. The title approaches the future with the realistic optimism of those who work with the challenges of creating new solutions to problems that will stay with us for some time to come: the need to conserve energy and make transportation ever more affordable without the loss of safety. Carbon fiber reinforced composites have demonstrated real value in positively addressing these issues. Automotive Carbon Fiber Composites: From Evolution to Implementation is an excellent guide for those involved in technical material strategy and research, as well as those who need to understand the basics of this subject to support better business decisions.

This textbook is a step-by-step introduction to nanocomposite materials using methods familiar to materials science students and engineers. It covers all nanoparticle types, including flakes, nanotubes, and nanoparticulates. It provides the basics for composites with reinforcements ranging from microns to nanometers.

Whether repairing existing components, fabricating new ones, building a race car, or restoring a classic, this is the one book to guide the reader through each critical stage.

Most literature pertaining to carbon fibers is of a theoretical nature. Carbon Fibers and their Composites offers a comprehensive look at the specific manufacturing of carbon fibers and graphite fibers into the growing surge of diverse applications that include flameproof materials, protective coatings, biomedical and prosthetics application

The automotive industry faces many challenges, including increased global competition, the need for higher-performance vehicles, a reduction in costs and tighter environmental and safety requirements. The materials used in automotive engineering play key roles in overcoming these issues: ultimately lighter materials mean lighter vehicles and lower emissions. Composites are being used increasingly in the automotive industry due to their strength, quality and light weight. Advanced Composite Materials for Automotive Applications: Structural Integrity and Crashworthiness provides a comprehensive explanation of how advanced composite materials, including FRPs, reinforced thermoplastics, carbon-based composites and many others, are designed, processed and utilized in vehicles. It includes technical explanations of composite materials in vehicle design and analysis and covers all phases of composite design, modelling, testing and failure analysis. It also sheds light on the performance of existing materials including carbon composites and future developments in automotive material technology which work towards reducing the weight of the vehicle structure. Key features: Chapters written by world-renowned authors and experts in their own fields Includes detailed case studies and examples covering all aspects of composite materials and their application in the automotive industries Unique topic integration between the impact, crash, failure, damage, analysis and modelling of composites Presents the state of the art in composite materials and their application in the automotive industry Integrates theory and practice in the fields of composite materials and automotive engineering Considers energy efficiency and environmental implications Advanced Composite Materials for Automotive Applications: Structural Integrity and Crashworthiness is a comprehensive reference for those working with composite materials in both academia and industry, and is also a useful source of information for those considering using composites in automotive applications in the future.

Before the 1970s, plastics were considered primarily as non-engineering materials and were used in applications such as belts, hoses, gaskets, carpet backing, sealing, adhesives, tires, and so forth as a part of an engineering solution. More recently, plastics have replaced traditional materials and emerged as a significant "engineering application" within the automotive industry. Plastics have proven to be cost effective while providing automakers with the design freedom to accommodate safety, styling, and comfort. Engineering Plastics and Plastic Composites In Automotive Applications focuses on some of the various types of plastics and plastic composites and their applications and advantages within passenger vehicles.

Provides introductory information on carbon fiber composites, including polymer-matrix, metal matrix, carbon-matrix, ceramic-matrix, and hybrid composites. Places emphasis on materials rather than mechanics.

This book is an upb306d and expanded version of the course notes for the Composite Awareness course run by the Warwick Manufacturing Group in 1998-1999. The book gives readers an appreciation of composites, materials properties, manufacturing technologies and the wider implications of using composites in the automotive sector. It will be useful for those already working with composites in automotive applications and for those who are considering using them in the future.

Research into the manufacture of lightweight automobiles is driven by the need to reduce fuel consumption to preserve dwindling hydrocarbon resources without compromising other attributes such as safety, performance, recyclability and cost. Materials, design and manufacturing for lightweight vehicles will make it easier for engineers to not only learn about the materials being considered for lightweight automobiles, but also to compare their characteristics and properties.Part one discusses materials for lightweight automotive structures with chapters on advanced steels for lightweight automotive structures, aluminium alloys, magnesium alloys for lightweight powertrains and automotive structures, thermoplastics and thermoplastic matrix composites and thermoset matrix composites for lightweight automotive structures. Part two reviews manufacturing and design of lightweight automotive structures covering topics such as manufacturing processes for light alloys, joining for lightweight vehicles, recycling and lifecycle issues and crashworthiness design for lightweight vehicles.With its distinguished editor and renowned team of contributors, Materials, design and manufacturing for lightweight vehicles is a standard reference for practicing engineers involved in the design and material selection for motor vehicle bodies and components as well as material scientists, environmental scientists, policy makers, car companies and automotive component manufacturers. - Provides a comprehensive analysis of the materials being used for the manufacture of lightweight vehicles whilst comparing characteristics and properties - Examines crashworthiness design issues for lightweight vehicles and further emphasises the development of lightweight vehicles without compromising safety considerations and performance - Explores the manufacturing process for light alloys including metal forming processes for automotive applications

The development of new materials that are technically and economically viable is no small endeavor. The risks, costs, and time involved in research are usually so high that only governments or private consortia can bear them. And so it has been with the trajectory of carbon fiber reinforced composites, which are capable of providing the lightweighting needed for fuel efficiency, and the mechanical strength required for safety. After a long development cycle, this material is now being widely used by the military, in commercial aircraft, and in the automotive industry. Automotive Carbon Fiber Composites: From Evolution to Implementation, written by Dr. Jackie Rehkopf, senior researcher at Plasan Carbon Composites, gives a high-level summary on carbon reinforced fiber composites specific to the automotive industry in today’s market and its vision for the next 5 to 10 years. It begins with a comprehensive and easy-to-read overview of how composites started to be investigated as a possible alternative to metals, mostly driven by military demands, going on to cover: Fiber and resin types for automotive applications Composite constructions Manufacturing processes Machining and joining Reclaiming and recycling of these materials, among other topics. The title approaches the future with the realistic optimism of those who work with the challenges of creating new solutions to problems that will stay with us for some time to come: the need to conserve energy and make transportation ever more affordable without the loss of safety. Carbon fiber reinforced composites have demonstrated real value in positively addressing these issues. Automotive Carbon Fiber Composites: From Evolution to Implementation is an excellent guide for those involved in technical material strategy and research, as well as those who need to understand the basics of this subject to support better business decisions.