This technical book 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 exterior, interior, under-the-hood, structural, semi-structural and non-structural components in passenger cars, performance cars, trucks, motorbikes, and mass transit vehicles. The book clarifies how the material properties of composites can be optimized to decrease weight, expand design options, improve crashworthiness, and reduce fuel consumption in response to CAFE and other regulations. The many case studies and equation-based analyses in this book are intended to assist engineers and others in the selection of materials and the fabrication of vehicle parts.
CHAPTER Headings Include: INTRODUCTION; CHAPTER 2: POLYMER RESINS, ADDITIVES AND SANDWICH CORES FOR AUTOMOTIVE, MASS TRANSIT AND HEAVY TRUCKS; CHAPTER 3: REINFORCEMENTS FOR AUTOMOTIVE AND TRANSPORTATION APPLICATIONS; CHAPTER 4: MATERIAL FORMS FOR AUTOMOTIVE, HEAVY TRUCKS AND MASS TRANSIT; CHAPTER 5: DISCONTINUOUS REINFORCEMENT-BASED PROCESSES FOR AUTOMOTIVE AND TRANSPORTATION APPLICATIONS; CHAPTER 6: CONTINUOUS FIBER REINFORCEMENT BASED PROCESSES FOR AUTOMOTIVE, HEAVY TRUCKS AND MASS TRANSIT; CHAPTER 7: MECHANICS AND DESIGN TIPS; CHAPTER 8: COMPOSITE MANUFACTURING PROCESS ANALYSIS FOR AUTOMOTIVE PARTS; CHAPTER 9: CARBON FIBER; CHAPTER 10: PERFORMANCE CARS; CHAPTER 11: HEAVY TRUCKS AND MASS TRANSIT; CHAPTER 12: JOINING AND ADHESIVES; CHAPTER 13: BIOCOMPOSITES, RECYCLING AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS; CHAPTER 14: OVERALL SUMMARY;