Composites reinvent automotive
To celebrate National Composites Week, CW shares some of the latest innovations in automotive composites, from new process technologies to novel commercial applications.
.jpg;width=70;height=70;mode=crop;format=webp)
Source | Porsche, Alia Mentis, SABIC, Aptera
Composite materials have proven their advantages — especially their light weight, durability, corrosion resistance, and tunability compared to traditional metals — in a variety of automotive applications from high-end luxury vehicles to high-performance race vehicles to high-volume commercial applications.
Every day of National Composites Week, CW is highlighting content about a different end market in which composites are “reinventing” the industry and driving innovation. See yesterday’s “Composites reinvent aerospace, AAM and space” and follow along the rest of this week for more.
What are some of the latest ways composites are reinventing the automotive industry?
Bio-inspired rollover cage
Porsche worked with Action Composites to design and manufacture an innovative carbon fiber safety cage option to lightweight one of its series race vehicles, built in a one-shot compression molding process.
Keys to success? A multi-tier, bio-inspired design approach.
Innovations in automotive body panels
CW contributing writer Peggy Malnati sheds light on the history of automotive composite body panels — and their challenges — and explains a versatile sandwich panel technology developed to solve decades-long exterior automotive challenge.
Want more content and the latest news about composites technology used in the automotive industry, or in other end markets? Visit CW’s Markets page.
About National Composites Week
The goal of National Composites Week (NCW) is to celebrate and bring attention to the ways that composite materials and composites manufacturing contribute to the products and structures that shape the American manufacturing landscape today.
NCW takes place each year in the final week of August and celebrates a specific theme.
The 2024 theme was Composites Reinvent the World. See what companies and individuals shared on LinkedIn and read more from the CW editorial team:
.jpg;maxWidth=300;quality=90;format=webp)
Related Content
Infinite Composites: Type V tanks for space, hydrogen, automotive and more
After a decade of proving its linerless, weight-saving composite tanks with NASA and more than 30 aerospace companies, this CryoSphere pioneer is scaling for growth in commercial space and sustainable transportation on Earth.
Read More
Evolution of the one-piece, all-composite Funny Car body
Large, one-piece drag racing vehicle bodies require extreme lightweighting and precise layup skills. Specialist MTCcorp shares how its John Force Racing Funny Cars have evolved over the past 25 years.
Read More
ASCEND program update: Designing next-gen, high-rate auto and aerospace composites
GKN Aerospace, McLaren Automotive and U.K.-based partners share goals and progress aiming at high-rate, Industry 4.0-enabled, sustainable materials and processes.
Read More
TPI manufactures all-composite Kenworth SuperTruck 2 cab
Class 8 diesel truck, now with a 20% lighter cab, achieves 136% freight efficiency improvement.
Read MoreRead Next
How are you celebrating National Composites Week?
The composites industry will be shining a light on the importance of composites this Aug. 26-30, 2024. Save the date, and help us promote how #CompositesReinventTheWorld.
Read More
Composites reinvent aerospace, AAM and space
Celebrating National Composites Week, CW shares ways in which composites continue to make a significant impact in aerospace and space market developments.
Read More
Plant tour: A&P, Cincinnati, OH
A&P has made a name for itself as a braider, but the depth and breadth of its technical aptitude comes into sharp focus with a peek behind usually closed doors.
Read More