Unconventional Methods of Joining Composites and Metals in the Context of Weight Reduction of Car Bodies

Abstract

One of the basic trends in the automotive industry today is to achieve the most acceptable ratio between the total weight of the car to its overall performance and utility properties. Reducing the weight of cars is largely due to the use of new materials, where composite materials offer a wide space for their application. Composite materials have their specific properties which is very beneficial in reducing the total weight. Another advantages is strength, stiffness, low fiber density, the ability to form them into any shape based on the required applications. One of the challenges associated with the use of composite materials is the search for new technological possibilities of joining composite materials with metals. These include technologies as for example riveting, ultrasonic welding, but especially gluing. Bonding is currently one of the most preferred ways of joining composite materials. The paper deals with testing of technology of bonding composite materials with metals used in the manufacture of automobiles and a comparison of individual results obtained from the experiment.

Keywords

• composites
• carbon fiber
• weight reduction
• bonded joint