Question

Cars are almost exclusively made from iron and steel. However, the car industry is facing a huge global challenge: to reduce fuel consumption and minimize Carbon Dioxide emissions accordingly. Hence, many car manufacturers are trying to meet the challenge by developing new technologies, materials and processes in order to further improve the efficiency and ecological balance of their cars, whilst naturally maintaining a good standard of customer benefits. The developed case study employed in the current individual assignment is the selection of lightweight high-performance materials for car body structure to increase the fuel efficiency as well as reduce the emission of harmful pollutants, without compromising performance, size and utility. Write a brief evaluation which addresses the following questions;

i. What are the requirements for a car body structure?

ii. What material(s) would you suggest and why?

iii. What are the most important criteria that the material should meet?

iv. Factors influencing material change in the future trends and requirements

Answer 1

Please find the answer below

1. Requirement for car body structure

Car body is a moving cabin withstand different forces due to movement of it , absorb shock when impact thus save passenger and environment or climate changes.

It must have adequate space for passenger comfort and at same time withstand load of both passenger and engine and body weight. It should sufficient strength to withstand all forces acting on it. Body should have sufficient stiffness to prevent bending or sagging at middle.It should deform in order to absorb energy from impact while accident without affecting passenger cabin. It also protect from passenger and interior space from bad weather.

For safety and strength material thickness need to increase which cause weigh of car which reduce mileage and performance.

2. Best Material for car body

I would suggest best material for car body is composite material for light weight requirement. Composite material is combination two or more material which one is metal and other is non-metal. Which give strength as metal at same time light weight as plastic. These kind of material have all properties to withstand car body structure with light weight which gives fuel efficiency and performance. One example from my side aluminium with plastic material with required property.

3. The most important criteria that the material should meet

Strength, stiffness, durability, impact absorbing capability( toughness),light weight and good deformability.

4. Factors influencing material change in the future trends and requirements

The main factor is performance and fuel effiency. In future weight of car need to reduce electric car to run more with given battery output. Now a days drastic innovation is material , which light as paper but 6 or times stronger than steel. But weight need to be sufficient according to car design to have stability. More importance is give to passenger safety. In future speed to vehicle increase to reduce time spend on traveling, so material should sufficient strength and stiffness to save the passenger. Also giving more importance to cost effective material. Requirement in future is cost effective material with good strength and stiffness with light weight with extreme condition with maximum passanger safety.