The Automotive Industys Use of Structural Composite...

The automotive industry’s use of structural composite materials began in the 1950s. Since those early days, it has been demonstrated that composites are lightweight, fatigue resistant and easily molded to shape. In other words, composite structures are seemingly attractive alternative to metals. Not only are composites used in the field of automotive but in all other fields such as aerospace, construction industry, and the entertainment industry. Composite materials have numerous features that led the automotive industry in using it in automobile designs. Its many key benefits include being lightweight, has high strength, corrosion resistant, chemical resistant, elastic, and non-conductive. Composite materials are extremely strong and are highly resistant to chemical, never having to rust or corrode. Fiber reinforced composites have excellent elastic properties. When composites are bent, they snap back into place. Fiberglass based composites are non-conductive. With all these benefits and features, what exactly are composites? Composite materials are developed by the combination of two or more materials, with quite different properties. When composite materials are made, one material is called the matrix or binder, which surrounds and holds a cluster of pieces of a much stronger reinforcement material called fiber, which is the second material. So why does the automotive industry use composites in automobile designs? What are its specific benefits? The use of