Sandwich sheet for lighter body panels
This article describes a new, lightweight sandwich, consisting of a thermoplastic core between two aluminum sheets, developed for horizontal automotive body parts applications. A 65% weight savings may be possible. For environmental reasons, reduction of fuel consumption in passenger cars is of increased concern. One of the most promising solutions is the application of lightweight materials. It is increasingly clear that material substitution will lead to cars in which several materials will be used, depending upon their functions. In the case of horizontal body panels, flexural rigidity is often regarded as the design criterion. Therefore, sheet materials with the least weight per unit area for a given flexural rigidity are likely to be used. Hoogovens Croep has been developing an aluminum/plastic/aluminum sandwich material, called Hylite. It differs from existing panels in two ways. First, the sandwich contains aluminum skins instead of steel, leading to a lower mass per unit area and to the availability of a broader range of sheet sizes. Second, to maintain a high level of flexural rigidity in the service temperature range ([minus]30[degree] to +85[degree] C), the plastic core has been selected so that the shear modulus exceeds a certain minimum over the entire range. Consequently, sound-deadening properties are comparable to solid sheet material as opposed to sandwich panels which contain plastic in a viscoelastic state. Due to contradictory physical requirements, optimization of both light weight and sound deadening properties cannot be achieved in one type of sheet material. Some of Hylite's properties are discussed.
- OSTI ID:
- 5875946
- Journal Information:
- Automotive Engineering; (United States), Journal Name: Automotive Engineering; (United States) Vol. 101:5; ISSN 0098-2571; ISSN AUEGBB
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
330601* -- Vehicle Design Factors-- Body & Chassis
ALUMINIUM
AUTOMOBILES
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
ELEMENTS
MANUFACTURING
MATERIALS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
METALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
PETROCHEMICALS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PLASTICS
POLYMERS
SYNTHETIC MATERIALS
THERMOPLASTICS
VEHICLES