Materials, Design and Manufacturing for Lightweight Vehicles


Book Description

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




Thermoplastics and Thermoplastic Composites


Book Description

Thermoplastics represent appx 90% by weight of all plastics consumed world-wide. We know them mainly in the form of polythenes, polyolefins, polystyrenes, nylons and acrylics. Under different heating conditions and by varying the composition of the plastic it is possible to make many different products with differing properties.This is a decision-making tool and source-book of information for plastics users, providing detailed accounts of the materials used, their economics,the selection of appropriate materials, and the use of thermoplastic resins and their composites. By having this book to hand, you will use the right material in the right way to produce the right product.·Provides a quick and pragmatic approach to selecting thermoplastics for the non-specialist plastics user·Offers detailed accounts of thermoplastics including economic and technological elements·Clear and easy to understand illustrated with figures, tables and graphs throughout




Processing of Polymer Matrix Composites


Book Description

Polymer matrix composites are finding increasing number of applications due to their high weight-saving potential as well as unique characteristics, such as high strength-to-density ratio, fatigue resistance, high damping factor, and freedom from corrosion. While many textbooks are available on the mechanics of polymer matrix composites, few cover their processing. Processing of Polymer Matrix Composites fills this gap. The book focuses on the major manufacturing processes used for polymer matrix composites and describes process details, process parameters and their effects on properties and process-induced defects, and analytical and experimental methods used for understanding process conditions. The book describes fibers, thermosetting and thermoplastic polymers, and interface characteristics that are important from the standpoint of both design and processing. It also emphasizes the applications of process fundamentals for both continuous fiber and short fiber polymer matrix composites. In addition the book considers quality inspection methods, tooling, and manufacturing costs and environmental and safety issues.




High Performance Thermoplastic Resins and Their Composites


Book Description

Recent developments in high performance thermoplastic resins and their composites are described in this book, and the benefits and limitations of these emerging materials are assessed for aerospace and other applications. Discussions on the performance of neat and continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic resins in terms of their properties and environmental and chemical resistance are provided.




Thermoplastic Aromatic Polymer Composites


Book Description

Thermoplastic Aromatic Polymer Composites: A Study of the Structure, Processing and Properties of Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polyetheretherketone and Related Materials deals with the field of thermoplastic composite materials through a study of carbon fiber reinforced polyetheretherketone. The book is composed of twelve chapters. The first four chapters are an introduction and basic learning of thermoplastic composite materials. These chapters include discussions on the components of thermoplastics, product forms, and the microstructure of aromatic polymer composites. The processing and manufacturing technology, including the fundamental operations, control, and the wide implications of manufacturing the composite material, are analyzed. The service performance structure of three interactions, namely, material, design, and processing, are illustrated. The strength of thermoplastic composites is then considered through an analysis of both shear and extensions with elastic modulus, but in the case of material strength, the differences between tension and compression properties should be taken into account. The book also notes that the durability, temperature sensitivity, and environmental resistance should likewise be regarded for a structural composite to have practical value and satisfactory performance. Lastly, the text explains that the numerous applications of thermoplastic structural composites, such as in medicine, aviation, marine and space technology, automotive, and industrial machinery, are all important and a rigorous evaluation is therefore necessary. The book finally suggests that the research into the future developments in the thermoplastic structural composites and the trend toward new design strategies and processing technology are important in optimizing the composite's great potential. Industrial researchers in the field of chemistry and polymer composites, students, and academicians interested in the design and application of polymer composites will find this book relevant.




Structural Composite Materials


Book Description

This book deals with all aspects of advanced composite materials; what they are, where they are used, how they are made, their properties, how they are designed and analyzed, and how they perform in-service. It covers both continuous and discontinuous fiber composites fabricated from polymer, metal, and ceramic matrices, with an emphasis on continuous fiber polymer matrix composites.




Polymer Matrix Composites and Technology


Book Description

Given such properties as low density and high strength, polymer matrix composites have become a widely used material in the aerospace and other industries. Polymer matrix composites and technology provides a helpful overview of these materials, their processing and performance.After an introductory chapter, part one reviews the main reinforcement and matrix materials used as well as the nature of the interface between them. Part two discusses forming and molding technologies for polymer matrix composites. The final part of the book covers key aspects of performance, including tensile, compression, shear and bending properties as well as impact, fatigue and creep behaviour.Polymer matrix composites and technology provides both students and those in industry with a valuable introduction to and overview of this important class of materials. - Provides a helpful overview of these materials, their processing and performance incorporating naming and classification of composite materials - Reviews the main reinforcement and matrix materials used as well as the nature of the interface between them including damage mechanisms - Discusses forming and molding technologies for polymer matrix composites outlining various techniques and technologies




Fundamentals, Properties, and Applications of Polymer Nanocomposites


Book Description

This book is focused primarily on polymer nanocomposites, based on the author's research experience as well as open literature. The environmental health and safety aspects of nanomaterials and polymer nanocomposites, risk assessment and safety standards, and fire toxicity of polymer nanocomposites, are studied. In the final chapter, a brief overview of opportunities, trends, and challenges of polymer nanocomposites are included. Throughout the book, the theme is developed that polymer nanocomposites are a whole family of polymeric materials whose properties are capable of being tailored to meet specific applications. This volume serves as a general introduction to students and researchers just entering the field and to scholars from other subfields seeking information.




Manufacturing Techniques for Polymer Matrix Composites (PMCs)


Book Description

Polymer matrix composites are used extensively across a wide range of industries, making the design and development of effective manufacturing processes of great importance. Manufacturing techniques for polymer matrix composites (PMCs) provides an authoritative review of the different technologies employed in the manufacture of this class of composite.Following an introduction to composites and manufacturing processes, part one reviews the manufacturing of short fiber and nanoparticle based polymer matrix composites, with injection and compression molding examined in depth. Thermoplastic processing is the focus of part two. Sheet forming, fabric thermostamping, filament winding and continuous fiber reinforced profiles are investigated. Part three reviews thermoset processing. A survey of resin transfer molding follows, including vacuum-assisted and compression resin transfer molding. The pultrusion process is then considered, before the book concludes with an investigation into autoclave and out-of-autoclave curing processes in polymer matrix composites.With its distinguished editors and international team of expert contributors, Manufacturing techniques for polymer matrix composites (PMCs) is an essential guide for engineers and scientists working in the field of polymer matrix composites. - Provides an authoritative review of the different technologies employed in the manufacture of polymer matrix composites - Reviews the manufacturing of short fiber and nanoparticle-based polymer matrix composites, with injection and compression molding examined in depth - Examines thermoplastic processing, sheet forming, fabric thermostamping, filament winding and continuous fiber reinforced profiles