Carbon fibre in automotive applications

Short fiber reinforced composites have proven their substantial potential for automotive application and are state-of-art technology for volume production of non-structural vehicle components. Examples for these components are spread over the vehicle from frontend-reinforcement member made by GMT stamping to intake manifold made by injection moulded thermoplastics. Based on the high potential of advanced composites for both, structural lightweight design and material lightweight design, research and development focussing on innovative engineering solutions is an ongoing process within the automotive industry and related institutions. In this paper, different automotive components made out of advanced composites are presented and discussed with reference to their chances and risks for automotive realization. Furthermore, main restrictions and restraints for the use of advanced composites, e.g. load applications, damage tolerance and high volume production technologies, are explained. Technical solutions as key enablers for industrial realization are shown. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.