Automotive Composites

Automotive Composites addresses the materials, design, and manufacturing of fiber-reinforced polymer composites for structural automotive applications. The use of composites in the automotive industry is critically important for design of lightweight structures to meet fuel economy standards, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and increased battery range in electric vehicles. This book discusses key issues around manufacturing and mass-scale application of these composites in the automotive industry. * Teaches basic principles of FRCs for determining their mechanical and thermal behaviors. * Describes the manufacturing processes suitable for mass production of automotive composite components. * Discusses joining of automotive composites, with themselves and with other materials in multi-material construction of future automobiles. * Considers the material selection process, recycling, and cost issues. * Includes multiple case studies around manufacturing and the design process and performance characteristics of automotive composites vis-à-vis steels and aluminum alloys. * Features end-of-chapter problems and worked examples. This textbook is aimed at mechanical and materials engineering students studying automotive composites as well as professional engineers developing these materials for industry application. A solutions manual and figure slides are available to adopting professors.