Automotive engineers love the new plastics but favor lighter, thinner metals when the rubber meets the road
Doug Smock, Contributing Editor -- Design News, April 21, 2008
The race to put new electric cars on American streets within two years is turbocharging efforts to reduce vehicle weight.
Carmakers are now more willing to accept higher costs for high-performing materials’ systems made of magnesium or carbon-fiber reinforced plastics because reduced weight will extend battery range or allow lower-weight batteries. Design News’ interviews with chief engineers at all three American OEMs show every pound in a car is under investigation, resulting in new materials, new processes and new assembly technologies.
Some of the more dramatic changes will be use of polycarbonate as a glazing material for car roofs and rear ends, increased use of molded plastic in car body panels, more widespread use of thinner-gauge high-performance steel and much higher use of aluminum and magnesium.
Significant incremental improvements are already evident in new cars now hitting the market.
Watch for buy on precious metals ETF
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