Japanese firms working to make carbon fiber mainstream
#1
Japanese firms working to make carbon fiber mainstream
Japanese firms working to make carbon fiber mainstream
http://www.autoblog.com/
On the surface, carbon fiber sounds like a wonder-product which can replace much of the heavy metal, especially steel, that makes up the vast majority of nearly every automobile's structure. Dig a bit deeper, however, and there are a few flies in CF's ointment that make it very difficult to use in vehicles: price, supply and the time it takes to mold a the weaved material. Japan's big three carbon fiber producers are tackling each of these issues in a number of ways. First, the price of CF is expected to become more competitive as both carbon cloth goes down and rolled sheet steel goes up. What's more, as additional CF producing plants come online in the coming years, both the price and availability should improve. Third, new molding processes are being developed which could reduce the time it takes to produce a CF part from hours to minutes.
Carbon fiber is expected to ease the transition to more fuel efficient vehicles as it weights a fifth of what steel does for a part of roughly the same strength. As Automotive News points out, the overall weight of any given vehicle could be halved by replacing major structural steel components with CF, so expect to see CF move down market from the exotics to more mainstream models in the next decade or so.
Carbon fiber is expected to ease the transition to more fuel efficient vehicles as it weights a fifth of what steel does for a part of roughly the same strength. As Automotive News points out, the overall weight of any given vehicle could be halved by replacing major structural steel components with CF, so expect to see CF move down market from the exotics to more mainstream models in the next decade or so.
#2
It only makes sense to utilize light weight materials. If the cost of producing CF vehicles can be brought down to match the cost of using more traditional steel, it would certainly help auto maufacturers achieve higher mpg numbers. Imagine a IS350 that was built of CF, and weighted 2000-2500 lbs. or less. That would be amazing.
#3
It only makes sense to utilize light weight materials. If the cost of producing CF vehicles can be brought down to match the cost of using more traditional steel, it would certainly help auto maufacturers achieve higher mpg numbers. Imagine a IS350 that was built of CF, and weighted 2000-2500 lbs. or less. That would be amazing.
#6
CF is actually much safer than other materials because it absorbs more damage... which means pricier repairs but it means that the occupants will be kept more alive... and medical issues are a big issue too.. so it might not increase especially in CF price drops below steel
#7
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With airbags and headlights and car design today, many cars are just "totalled' as its hassle to fix.
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#8
I thought jracerlmn was talking about a stone/rock dent... is CF more resistent to that?
Great to hear that CF will become mainstream... or at least people are working on getting it mainstream.
mmmm... CF Prius... now what to do with the thick rear hatch glass that weighs a lot lol.
Great to hear that CF will become mainstream... or at least people are working on getting it mainstream.
mmmm... CF Prius... now what to do with the thick rear hatch glass that weighs a lot lol.
#11
The carbon fiber itself should be more resistant to those parking lot door dings compared to standard metal. More than likely the CF will also be painted, so paint scuffs and chips will still be a problem though. All in all though, I think composite materials like the BMW fenders or CF materials will actually keep the car looking better longer due to the lack of those irritating small dings and dents.
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