Citation

Turner TA, Harper LT, Warrior NA, Rudd CD. Proc. Inst. Mech. Eng. Pt. D J. Automobile Eng. 2008; 222(1): 53-63.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1243/09544070JAUTO406

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Carbon-fibre-based composite manufacturing processes have been considered for automotive body panel applications. A full-scale front wing--fender component was produced using two composite manufacturing processes (a semi--;impregnated (sem-preg) system and a novel directed fibre preforming--resin transfer moulding process) and compared with an existing stamped steel component for mechanical properties, weight saving, and cost, using a technical-cost-modelling procedure. Mechanical testing demonstrates that the carbon fibre composite solutions can provide 40--50 per cent weight saving for an equivalent bending stiffness to steel panels and greatly improved dent resistance. For the part studied, carbon fibre semi-preg systems offered the lowest cost process up to around 500 parts/annum and directed fibre preforming technologies were cheaper between 500 and 9000 parts/annum. The steel component was seen to be more cost effective at volumes above around 9000 parts/annum.

Language: en